STM+'s on Pitocin

arcticseal-2 · August 2016

I've been reading birth stories on other boards and it seems like most women were given pitocin. Just wondering if that is true and thought it might be something for the first time Mom's to research/have an opinion on.

arcticseal-2 · August 2016

For the record, I was not given pitocin with either labour. My first was a c-section after 21 hrs due to failure to progress/facing the wrong way (head down but backwards), and my second was a successful VBAC.

hollowway · August 2016

My water broke but contractions still hadn't started after 16hrs so they started me on pitocin. Baby needed to come out. The longer your water is broke and you're in labor, the higher risk of infection. From the time my water broke til she was born was 28hrs and I ended up on antibiotics. Vaginal birth, no other interventions or medications needed.

MollySm · August 2016

With my first, my water broke, contractions started 2 hours later, and were strong and every 3-5 min for about 6 hours before we went to the hospital. At the hospital they stopped after about an hour. They let me spend an hour trying to get it started again, but then started pitosin. My daughter was head down but turned sideways. I had her 32 hours after my water broke, vaginally, with forceps after 3 hours of pushing. At 40w 5d.

My 2nd labor went much more smoothly with no pitosin, at 40w 6d.

It does seem like so many moms on the August board are being given pitosin. Someone posted a link to an article or study about pitosin not leading to more likely csections on the August board, but I haven't read it yet. I have always wanted to keep interventions low, and I hope this isn't something I need to argue about with my OB or the OB on call.

MrsBigTime · August 2016

No pitocin!

I went into labor without warning at midnight (39 weeks, I was scheduled for an induction later that morning) and left for the hospital about 7:30. I was 7 cm at 8 am and started pushing shortly after 11 am. My girl was born at 12:22. I think they may have given me a shot of pit to help expel my placenta, but I may be totally wrong with that...either way, I don't think that counts as getting it for labor.

If I could get such a smooth labor again this time I will be eternally grateful!

Des321 · August 2016

My water broke while I was having contractions, and I started out dilating on my own just fine. But it slowed down after I got my epi. The contractions were still going but not making any progress after several hours, so they sped things up with pitocin. Had DS vaginally just a few hours later.

ShannonKay19 · August 2016

My water broke (2cm and 39 weeks) but I never had contractions strong enough to be felt so they started me on the pitocin when I arrived. I got an epidural at 5cm, and probably 9 hours later. After the epidural my sons heart rate would drop at every big contraction, so they had to stop the pitocin. This really prolonged my labor because I wasn't dilating very fast. I had him vaginally after 30 hours or labor and 2 hours of pushing. I should have had a c-section, as he was over 9lbs and I am not a very big person. I ended up having reparative surgery 5 weeks after birth and, needless to say, will be having a scheduled c-section this time around.

shevaCC · August 2016

I wasn't given pitocin with either labor, but was given some to help contract my uterus back down right after giving birth to DS. I don't think I was given it with DD, but I'm not 100% sure. I was told it's pretty routine to give it immediately post partum to help reduce risk of hemorrhage.

atcwag · August 2016

I was induced on my due date (Cervadil overnight, then Pit the next AM) due to gestational hypertension with DS. Cervadil 5:30 PM - 5:30 AM yielded no changes and my cervix was a (barely) centimeter dilated & posterior. Started Pit @ 6:30 AM. Within and hour was having strong, back to back contractions - caved and got the Epi a few hours later (was not my plan). Slept the rest of the day until time to push around 3:00 PM - delivered @ 3:15 PM.

OlgaN15 · August 2016

If I remember correctly, I was given it after giving birth (as pp also mentioned) to help contract uterus.

princesslockness · August 2016

I was induced due to Pre E. My pitocin was great. I did get the epi about an hour after they broke my water, because small hospital + anesthesia guy had surgeries for the rest of the day, but I didn't really need it until I was about ready to push. It was a great induction, although I had a CS because P was breech and had a BM.

jarethinafrock · August 2016

Like PPs, I wasn't given it during labour but I was given a shot of it after labour to help my uterus go back to normal.

RaeJ004 · August 2016

With my first my water broke at 1cm and I couldn't get contractions going on my own so they have me pitocin. My second delivery went so fast I didn't need it.
There is nothing like pitocin contractions. Uuuuugh!
Its pretty common to give it after delivery to help get the placenta and everything out of the uterus.

jstinkz · August 2016

No pitocin at all. I'm irrationally scared of it so I said no to induction multiple times. I said they could schedule one, but I wasn't going to show up. Interventions unless medically necessary scare me.

okashimochi · August 2016

With my first baby, I was given pitocin after birth. But not with my second

fiscally3 · August 2016

My first I was induced with cytotec, due to some non-med related complications I ended up with a c-section. All my kids have been c-sections since. My second I went into labor before my scheduled c-section, and I can tell you after experiences both induced and non-induced labor, I would take the non-induced. With the first I felt like my body was fighting the contractions, where the non-induced contractions were much easier.

BabysMomma4 · August 2016

I've had 4 kids and the first three were vaginal and my last was an ER c-section due to a placental abruption. So i didn't have pitocin with my last one. But I went into labor naturally with the first two and was given pitocin to speed things along. First labor was 36 hours. Second was 12. Third baby was induced for obstetric cholestasis at 37 weeks with pitocin. I think the labors hurt just as much before the pitocin was given as after. I don't know how much of difference it makes in helping to speed things up. They also broke my water for this as well.

rencontrezmoi · August 2016

I was induced on my due date with my daughter. I had +4 pitting edema in my feet and ankles, and protein in my urine, which is why they decided to induce. They started the Pitocin at 9 AM, broke my water 15 minutes later, and the contractions were immediately right on top of each other. There was literally no break at all between them. I was pushing by 11 AM. I had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, and she was born at 11:34.

Muscatmommyof4 · August 2016

This will be my 4th delivery and I have never had Pitocin my doctor doesn't plan on using it this time either unless I go past 39weeks. All deliveries have been vaginal no complications and my labors are extremely fast.

jujellis · September 2016

I was given pitocin but I was induced due to preeclampsia at 36 weeks. I was still able to have a vaginal birth but the pitocin contractions were so strong I gave in and got an epidural after 22 hours. She was born less than 2 hours later

Katemr1146 · September 2016

I was given pitocin after being in labor for 20 hours and not being dilated past 5CM. They gave me a low dose and never had to increase it. I delivered 4 hours later.

DunkinDecaf · September 2016

I was induced because I was leaking amniotic fluid. They tried cervadil first but that didn't do anything, and then started me on pitocin, increasing the dosage every couple hours until my labor started in earnest. I got an epidural and had a wonderful, drama-free birth. I'm almost hoping for a second induction with this pregnancy because it was so nice not to have to worry about getting to the hospital in time or anything.

sweetsasaurus · September 2016

I was induced at 37 weeks with my son due to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. I came in at like 6pm, was given Cervadil and told to rest. At around 2am the contractions were crazy intense and we're continuous, as in no breaks between them. My water broke and I was given an epidural. I lost consciousness when they gave me the epidural (hypotensive shock- which isn't uncommon in those circumstances) and when I woke up it was morning, I was rested and at 9cm. My husband looked traumatized and exhausted though lol. An hour later I was at 10cm and I pushed for 2 surprisingly pleasant hours and my son was born at 11:33am. He did have the cord around his neck and did have a bowel movement that needed to be suctioned out of his airways, but he was just fine after that. Pitocin was given after the birth.

=caenis= · September 2016

Lurking from another birth month, but this is such an interesting topic. I had to vote and see the results!

With no sign of labor at 42 weeks, I was induced. I'd been dilated to 3 cm for a couple of weeks already, so I guess I was "ripe" and probably would've/could've gone into labor at any time. I'm sure this played to my advantage at the induction.

They started the pitocin and broke my water at around 10:30 AM and the baby arrived at 7:15 PM. I don't know the exact details, but they definitely had to increase my pitocin dosage several times. Labor for me was sudden and intense due to the induction, but manageable with breathing, massages, bouncing on an exercise ball, and spending time in a warm tub. The most annoying thing was being hooked up to several monitors and an IV. It kept me from moving around as much. That said, I look back on the whole experience as very positive.

The trouble came after birth. My milk was extremely late - it finally came in almost 2 weeks after birth. My doctor and midwife both think this is due to the pitocin in my system.

My personal advice is to avoid pitocin if you can, but don't be afraid of it. If at all possible, it's a lot easier on your body to dilate gradually and naturally. And if you plan on breastfeeding, keep in mind pitocin can delay your milk. But it's also not like pitocin automatically means horrible contractions and/or c-section. I'm sure it actually saves a lot of lives.

KaLikeAWind · September 2016

**dirty lurker** I was induced at 41 weeks exactly. They started with cytotec and after barely progressing maybe 2cm over 7-8 hours was given pitocin, in slowly but steadily increasing increments. Things did pick up after that, but it was still 6-8 hours before I was ready to push (I think this is because they didn't go with immediately heavy doses, but who knows).
I did opt for an epidural (which was awesome), and had a vaginal birth with aid of the suction cup (use of the suction cup not related to the pitocin)

rspalding001 · September 2016

So something about Pitocin that I just read that I thought was interesting. Apparently there is a connection between Pitocin and delayed milk production, especially for Moms who are induced and are on it for extended periods of time. With my DD my milk took 7 days to come in and I was induced and on pitocin for almost 2 days before delivery. So Im thinking that may have been partially way it took so long for my milk. Just and FYI. Im not saying don't use pitocin just that if you do notice a delay in your milk production dont give up on BF'ing right away, pump and supplement until you are finally up and running so to speak milk-wise. Its so easy to get discouraged BF'ing in the beginning and knowing there might be a reason for low milk production can help. Just like @=caenis= said

Want a personalized experience?

STM+'s on Pitocin

STM+'s on Pitocin 80 votes

Re: STM+'s on Pitocin

Choose Another Board

Search Boards