Meds for cervical ripening?

haylo33 · May 2014

I'm only 37 weeks but my midwife and I discussed inductions today. I've had Hydronephrosis since 28weeks and they are concerned to let me go too far past 39 weeks due to the possibility of kidney damage. I'm only a fingertip dilated and 50% effaced. My cervix isn't "ripe" and it would need to be before inducing. She said there are meds that are given like cytotec to ripen the cervix. She said there are 2 options...1. Have the meds placed vaginally at night and spend the night in the hospital then start pitocin in the morning or 2. Have the meds placed and see if it ripens the cervix and hopefully that would induce labor. I guess the 2nd option would entail being monitored for a few hours then go home and if I don't go into labor, they would start pitocin a few days later. I've never heard of the 2nd option. Has anyone used meds to ripen the cervix? Did you go into labor? Did they start pitocin the next morning or did they give you a couple days to see if it works?

ho11yday · May 2014

Cytotec was what got my labor started when I was induced. I can't remember if I had two doses vaginally and one orally or if it was the other way around. However, I was in the hospital overnight when they started by giving me the gel inserts first.

jenb_99 · May 2014

I received 3 doses of Prostin (aka Cervidil) in the week prior to my induction. One single dose and one double dose (all vaginal suppositories). I spent two mornings in triage hooked up to monitors while they placed the meds and checked my progress over the next 2-3 hours. I remained at zero even after both Prostin treatments, so we moved on to Cytotec. For that one I was admitted the evening before my actual induction date. I received one dose vaginally at 8 p.m. and another at midnight. At 5 a.m. we started Pitocin. At 9:30 a.m. my OB ruptured my bag of waters. Through all of that I ended up progressing to a 2.5, but then my cervix swelled shut and told us to eff off. I had a c-section later that evening.

In my case it was a matter of DS's head being too large for my pelvic opening, so no amount of hormones could've helped us. I guess that makes my cervical ripening story a neutral one. But there have been plenty of success stories. My OB swears by Prostin/Cervidil and Cytotec for women who are anatomically able to give birth but just need a kickstart.

ksyknelvr73 · May 2014

I had cytotec and it gave me contractions (mild) and it dilated me to a 3 and 100% effaced. It didn't start labor for me though, I had to have my water broken and pitocin.

eghulse · May 2014

Cervadil started my induction at midnight and started my contractions pretty quick, then they started me on pitocin in the morning to help me progress.

cowpoly959 · May 2014

I just had cytotek last week. Took a half dose orally (buckle) and then a full dose a few house later. Started full labor for me and it was a fast labor. I dialated from a 3 to pushing in 8 hours.

chknma · May 2014

I received Cervidil with both my DDs. With DD1 @39 weeks it put me into labor and I delivered her within 10 hours of it being placed. With DD2 @‌ 37 weeks it helped progress me a little, but I still needed the pitocin.

I think it may have a lot to do with how close your body is to being labor ready any way. I would definitely try to avoid the pitocin if they'll let you wait and see for a few days. That stuff is awful.

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Meds for cervical ripening?

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