@jesshrou YES! I always tell women don't let anyone tell you that you can't walk around, get in the shower etc with a line running (not just saline lock) and continuous monitoring. Is it absolutely annoying to keep fixing the monitors when someone's in the shower? Yes, but so be it. This is their labor, not for my convenience.
I don't know how your hospital operates but it is ABSOLUTELY ok to go in the shower with an IV..I just tape it up with a specimen bag over it. We only have one labor tub and most women who are using it don't have an IV so I can't attest to it being submerged but I know it is A-ok in the shower.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
I started to hemorrhage after I had my daughter and the nurses had to stick their whole hand in my vag up to my belly button and between 2 nurses they were massaging through the inside and out, that hurt like hell. Worse than labor. They had to give me something in my iv to somewhat control the pain.
This. I too hemorrhaged with my first, and the dr. massaged my uterus from the inside. (shudder) I was a FTM, and wanted to have her "naturally", so I didn't have any pain meds. It was not a pleasant experience. I did have an iv and don't really know if they used pitocin to help at that point, but if they did and would have needed to stop to put in an iv first it could have been worse.
To anyone not wanting to get it... Please trust your OBs, they don't do these things for nothing, there are no adverse side effects or risks, and is effective in preventing a HEMORRHAGE, if you have an iv you won't even know you are getting it ..smh
I will do whatever the staff tell me to do. But am still curious about the risk of hemmhoraging (sp?), so will google it. You're all so mean for telling me to listen to my doctor. ;-)
WARNING: Next statements are facts and figures about hemmhoraging and other potential things that can go wrong. Stop reading here if this will scare you. These figures personally comforted me, but everyone is different.... ..... .....
ETA: looks like the rate of hemmhoraging is about 5% when actively managed vs 13% when expectantly managed. So your chances are fairly low, but decreased by more than half I f you go with the standard management vs waiting to see if your individual situation requires it.
Also, looks like hemmhoraging is the cause of about 8% of maternal deaths in developed countries... So while it is indeed a leading cause, there seem to be sooo many causes that it isn't an overwhelming cause.
Again. I will do and take whatever I'm told. Just personally wanted to know the risks.
.... .... Leaving blank space so ladies who don't wanna see those statistics don't have to. Again, in case you are only seeing this sentence - I personally find the statistics comforting.
^^ you also can't evaluate your actual risk at this time because a lot has to do with labor itself..long labors with pitocin, for example you would be at a much higher risk..if you acquired an infection/temp greatly increases your risk, many other factors during the labor process can increase your risk. And it's not one of those situations where you have to weigh the risks and benefits..as there are really no risks in receiving some pit...so it doesn't make sense to me why anyone would tell there doc no...but I've also been that nurse with one "arm up the vagina" and with the other having to shove meds in your rectum calling for help trying to prevent a massive hemorrhage
It's completely for safety and it's protocol. However your nurse may have ran it too fast @ksimo6 if you were THAT uncomfortable. We have a protocol of how fast we run it.... But if you forget to reset the pump from the first setting than it can run in too fast and cause more cramping and pain. Postpartum hemorrhage is no joke and you can bleed out in seconds. I've had cesareans as well that hemorrhage later on in the day after their delivery so please just take the pitocin There are other meds such as oral or rectal cytotec if you don't want IV pitocin but they will cause the same cramping. @mcknzzee@kherman14 It contracts your uterus and prevents hemorrhage.
Well this is good to know. I had severe cramping and pain for about 8 hours. The pain killers were not touching it. I will make sure I ask about how quickly they run it. Thanks for this info.
^^ you also can't evaluate your actual risk at this time because a lot has to do with labor itself..long labors with pitocin, for example you would be at a much higher risk..if you acquired an infection/temp greatly increases your risk, many other factors during the labor process can increase your risk. And it's not one of those situations where you have to weigh the risks and benefits..as there are really no risks in receiving some pit...so it doesn't make sense to me why anyone would tell there doc no...but I've also been that nurse with one "arm up the vagina" and with the other having to shove meds in your rectum calling for help trying to prevent a massive hemorrhage
This makes sense. I had a fast delivery and my doc thought that was why I didn't need pitocin; my uterus wasn't fatigued from a long delivery and was able to contract back quickly. I was also told I had a very firm fundus by several nurses, whatever that means.
My hospital also requires an IV or saline lock, so had I needed pitocin, there would have been no delay.
My OB was totally cool with waiting 15-20 min but she made it clear that after that amount of time, it wasn't really my choice. And I was OK with that approach.
I don't agree with "I'll do whatever I'm told" philosophy because I have been bullied by medical staff before.
To anyone not wanting to get it... Please trust your OBs, they don't do these things for nothing, there are no adverse side effects or risks, and is effective in preventing a HEMORRHAGE, if you have an iv you won't even know you are getting it ..smh
No one said (that I saw) they were going to go AGAINST what their doctor says, but if there's an equally safe way to prevent hemorrhage that doesn't involve an IV, then I'm going to investigate that. Not asking and then finding out later, "oh, they could have just given you a pill!" would be disappointing to me.
@Frogger5 ask for it as a shot instead! Or bring it up at your next appointment if they even use pitocin as a normal post delivery protocol -- again I only talk about what I see at my job so who knows what else goes on around the country (and world)!
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
No because it's pretty standard and your busy adoring your baby. @devyns2nd
I can understand you nurses feeling like it's no big deal, but they should absolutely tell you what drugs they are putting in your IV. BS that you're adoring your baby and therefore don't care anymore. People go crazy about their birth plans and everything being just so and what, that all just stops as soon as the baby's out? Of course you might not remember exactly what happened later (especially years later) but you should know at the time. Informed consent is pretty important to me, whether my default is to go along with whatever recommendation is given or not.
@Frogger5 Oh my goodness. If you read my first 2 posts I absolutely stated good for you to ask questions and have a say in your healthcare ! She just probably doesn't remember her nurse telling her what was running. I agree. Informed consent is very important. I also suggested cytotec rectal, vaginal, or a shot of methergine. But the first line of defense against hemorrhage is pitocin and massage
Oh my goodness. If you read my first 2 posts I absolutely stated good for you to ask questions and have a say in your healthcare ! She just probably doesn't remember her nurse telling her what was running. I agree. Informed consent is very important
Oh MY goodness. She asked, "Do they usually tell you before?" You replied, "No because it's pretty standard and your busy adoring your baby." Sorry if that isn't what you meant - seemed pretty straightforward to me.
@Frogger5 I know she didnt mean "you don't care".. But keep in mind all those forms you sign are your informed consent.. If you read them you are consenting for them to take measures to keep you safe.. It's not like they are giving you vaccines without you knowing.. Don't forget your body is releasing oxytocin. Are you planning to have a natural birth?
I apologize I said The word No. I should have said you probably don't remember or no they possibly didn't tell you because it is standard. That's a better answer. I explain it way before the delivery is even imminent because I have to be very quick to hang it after and get it going. And she is busy adoring her baby. You will see when your in the spotlight.
Also... We do tell you everything we are doing, and the reasons for it, it's part of our job. As I'm sure Klkonwi meant, as you are just holding your baby for the first time.. You may not exactly be 100% paying attention to remember every detail about what happened
@HayesRN13 and @klkonwi - sorry, I got a little defensive. I am hoping for a natural birth but I'm not fanatical about it. I certainly wouldn't choose to ignore something that is important just because of that. Unfortunately, I just don't totally buy into all of a hospital's or doctor's protocols as being in the patient's best interests. My hospital has changed it's policies quite a bit even over the past year to be less intervention-focused, and I appreciate that, but things are always changing and who knows what will be the standard of care in three years or ten?
I appreciate your responses, and now that I got my GBS results (negative), I'll ask about what my options are. I really would much rather have a shot of pitocin or sublingual cytotec if it works just as well. My OB didn't mention alternatives, just more explained that they really like to just do it via IV.
No because it's pretty standard and your busy adoring your baby. @devyns2nd
I can understand you nurses feeling like it's no big deal, but they should absolutely tell you what drugs they are putting in your IV. BS that you're adoring your baby and therefore don't care anymore. People go crazy about their birth plans and everything being just so and what, that all just stops as soon as the baby's out? Of course you might not remember exactly what happened later (especially years later) but you should know at the time. Informed consent is pretty important to me, whether my default is to go along with whatever recommendation is given or not.
This post really doesn't make any sense.. First of all birth plans certainly do not end at delivery... Therefore if in your birth plan you stated you did not want postpartum pitocin, the dr would discuss this with you and most likely, say ok unless you had increased bleeding. It's not like we are putting "medicine in your iv" without you knowing :-/ , and second, no one said anything about not caring THAT is BS..
No because it's pretty standard and your busy adoring your baby. @devyns2nd
I can understand you nurses feeling like it's no big deal, but they should absolutely tell you what drugs they are putting in your IV. BS that you're adoring your baby and therefore don't care anymore. People go crazy about their birth plans and everything being just so and what, that all just stops as soon as the baby's out? Of course you might not remember exactly what happened later (especially years later) but you should know at the time. Informed consent is pretty important to me, whether my default is to go along with whatever recommendation is given or not.
This post really doesn't make any sense.. First of all birth plans certainly do not end at delivery... Therefore if in your birth plan you stated you did not want postpartum pitocin, the dr would discuss this with you and most likely, say ok unless you had increased bleeding. It's not like we are putting "medicine in your iv" without you knowing :-/ , and second, no one said anything about not caring THAT is BS..
This was already cleared up I believe. Miscommunication - @klkonwi clarified and so did I.
Friend recently had natural birth (no epidural), but did have an IV & some type of pain meds to help take edge off. Anyways, she said after she delivered placenta, she had weird, painful cramping & chills. After talking with her husband (who's a nurse), he "reminded" her that she got pitocin in her IV. She told me she didn't realize/remember them telling her she did bc she just had a baby & all, but her husband was there to remind/pass on info of nurses. Make sure your birth partner is prepared to help you remember ladies!
The evidence seems to be there to support Pit after delivery. It's much easier to prevent a hemorrhage than to stop one. That being said my hospital is extremely low-intervention and they don't do it routinely. They use uterine massage and BFing as the first line of defense, more of a 'wait and see' approach. I did not need Pit with my first two and I would have known if they had given it since I did not have an IV, they would have had to start one or given me a shot in my thigh. We'll see what happens this time, but honestly if Pit was routine I would accept it I don't think it's a big deal after you have the baby.
Re: Pitocin after birth
I don't know how your hospital operates but it is ABSOLUTELY ok to go in the shower with an IV..I just tape it up with a specimen bag over it. We only have one labor tub and most women who are using it don't have an IV so I can't attest to it being submerged but I know it is A-ok in the shower.
WARNING: Next statements are facts and figures about hemmhoraging and other potential things that can go wrong. Stop reading here if this will scare you. These figures personally comforted me, but everyone is different....
.....
.....
ETA: looks like the rate of hemmhoraging is about 5% when actively managed vs 13% when expectantly managed. So your chances are fairly low, but decreased by more than half I f you go with the standard management vs waiting to see if your individual situation requires it.
Also, looks like hemmhoraging is the cause of about 8% of maternal deaths in developed countries... So while it is indeed a leading cause, there seem to be sooo many causes that it isn't an overwhelming cause.
Again. I will do and take whatever I'm told. Just personally wanted to know the risks.
....
....
Leaving blank space so ladies who don't wanna see those statistics don't have to. Again, in case you are only seeing this sentence - I personally find the statistics comforting.
My hospital also requires an IV or saline lock, so had I needed pitocin, there would have been no delay.
My OB was totally cool with waiting 15-20 min but she made it clear that after that amount of time, it wasn't really my choice. And I was OK with that approach.
I don't agree with "I'll do whatever I'm told" philosophy because I have been bullied by medical staff before.
I explain it way before the delivery is even imminent because I have to be very quick to hang it after and get it going. And she is busy adoring her baby. You will see when your in the spotlight.
I appreciate your responses, and now that I got my GBS results (negative), I'll ask about what my options are. I really would much rather have a shot of pitocin or sublingual cytotec if it works just as well. My OB didn't mention alternatives, just more explained that they really like to just do it via IV.
So hard. So hard.