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Natural Birth
Update to Alternatives to Cytotec?
So I had the misfortune today of spending my day in L&D due to some severe pain in my right abdomen. (Thankfully not appendicitis). I spent a lot of time with the providers at the hospital, including CNMs, nurses, and OBs. I was able to ask a few questions that made me feel much better about my concerns with Cytotec.
1. As mentioned before, I was concerned about the irremovable nature of Cytotec. I found out that if hyperstimiulation should occur, they use another med, originally introduced as a smooth muscle relaxant for asthma. The medication is terbutaline. This is an off-label use of the medication, but is common during induction. It works rapidly (within minutes) and effectively slows contractions. In fact, it can be malpractice if a laboring woman has over 6 contractions in 10 minutes. The disadvantages of this med is a rapid heart beat can occur and it does affect the baby. IMHO, if one is already experiencing hyperstimulation, a rapid heartbeat could be a reasonable trade-off.
2. The cost difference between Cervadil and Cytotec is astronomical. One dose of Cytotec is $0.37 in the US and one dose of Cervadil is $200.00. I was floored to hear that cost difference.
I mentioned in my last post how I felt dismissed by my provider during my appointment. I am pleased to say that the same concerns were not dismissed in the hospital and I learned excellent information about the care provided at my hospital. (I am not guaranteed my provider because my insurance uses attending physicians in their hospitals). I hope this helps.
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Re: Update to Alternatives to Cytotec?
I am so glad that the hospital was accomodating of your questions! That's the most important thing to me, that providers work with and respect their patients' wishes and questions.
For me personally, I would rather not have to use another set of medications to counter the medications I've already been given, so Cervadil is still preferable to me. Especially if increased heartbeat is a potential side effect, since that says "baby in distress" to many practitioners--which often results in more intervention. So...the cost difference might work itself out lol.
Terbutaline has more side effects than just tachycardia, which is a pretty serious issue in both mom and baby.
Are you planning an induction or just preparing yourself for what the hospital might advise you to do?
NorCalMOMS bio* NorCalBOTB* babywearingBIO
Harmony Doula
Researching to prepare myself and my husband. My provider won't let us go past 42 weeks (still 9 weeks away, I know), but I want to go into my doctor and be able to have an intelligent conversation before making any decisions. Anything my doctor says in an appointment, I want time to research on my own. Advantage of my practitioner is that they don't push for c-sections because they always have an attending physician at the hospital so it isn't about the "doctor's schedule".