Pitocin for placenta expulsion

botanicalbliss · March 2013

So, I was talking to my MW today about what we want/don't want during and after birth. She mentioned they routinely give a shot of pitocin to women in the 3rd stage of labor to help the placenta come out faster and to reduce the amount of blood loss. I feel like this is unnecessary. If I make it through birth completely med free, why do I need pitocin at the end? How helpful is it really? Is it worth doing, or should I say that I don't want it?

aylafsu88 · March 2013

If you are really against it, talk to your MW about it. I had a friend who had a lot of blood loss and they gave it to her very quickly in the thigh. It is something that can be given quickly if you need it, so maybe your MW will be open to only adm

tokenhoser · March 2013

I have no problem with pitocin in the third stage. The data I've read shows no risk and great benefit in situations where it's needed. I would rather have preventative treatment to avoid a hemorrhage if possible.

I wouldn't say you don't want it.

nosoup4u · March 2013

What token said. I personally don't care what drugs they stuff me with after the baby is out.

I would also take a wait-and-see position on it, sometimes it is necessary. hth

elle_bee · March 2013

nosoup4u:
What token said. I personally don't care what drugs they stuff me with after the baby is out.
I would also ta

StefandTodd · March 2013

I had a hospital birth with the first and a home birth with the second. With the first, I asked them to wait and see, and they had the shot nearby. With the second, a wait and see approach was a given for them. I didn't need it either ti

pdilly2b · March 2013

I put in my birth plan that I didn't want the pitocin shot unless my uterus wasn't clamping down properly and it was necessary. I ended up not needing it. I had such crazy cramping from breastfeeding that so I'm glad I didn't have another thing causing

danuli8 · March 2013

tokenhoser:
I have no problem with pitocin in the third stage. The data I've read shows no risk and great benefit in situation

botanicalbliss · March 2013

Thanks! This is great info and makes me feel better. I have heard of it being used as needed, but not as a preventative measure. I just don't want it to make me feel horrible or interfere w/ breastfeeding bonding. Maybe I'll ask to

tantdylf · March 2013

I am of the belief that interventions are not one size fits all. I would not consent unless it was necessary.

botanicalbliss · March 2013

tantdylf:
I am of the belief that interventions are not one size fits all. I would not consent unless it was necessary.
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abell77 · March 2013

I think it's completely unnecessary to be administered routinely. If we can trust our bodies to birth a child unmedicated, why can't we trust it to expel the placenta efficiently as well? I think it's fine to use on a case by case basis, when

iris427 · March 2013

It's not really about trust or whether it's necessary for everyone or not. Routine use of third stage Pit (i.e. giving it to everyone BEFORE they might hemorrhage) is scientifically shown to reduce the incidence and severity of postpartum hemorrh

tokenhoser · March 2013

botanicalbliss:
tan

botanicalbliss · March 2013

iris427:
It's not really about trust or whether it's necessary for everyone or not. Routine use of third stage Pit (i.e.

Unknown · March 2013

Thank you for asking this question! This has been weighing heavily on my mind too. I really appreciate all the responses as well. I had pit after the delivery of my 2nd which I didn't know they gave me until after the fact. That kind of ticked me off. I h

A37licia · March 2013

I don't see why your MW would require it. I have not wanted it prophylactically but would readily accept if I was bleeding heavily. I would take it routinely if I had a history of PPH. Talk to hear about the other options. Ask how ho

sschwege · March 2013

I think the evidence is there to support routine use of Pit during the 3rd stage.

That being said, I have never had it. For whatever reason my hospital must not do it routinely because both times it was not offered to me. With my fir

ridesbuttons · March 2013

If you don't want it, say something.

FWIW, I didn't have any and both placentas delivered easily within minutes of the birth.

starlightstef · March 2013

My MW has the same practice. I figure if a practitioner who is totally in favor of natural birth still recommends a shot of pitocin at the end, there must be something to it. She said it reduces the risk of hemorhage, which sounds great to

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