When is pitocin given

Pitocin brings on contractions, which are necessary for childbirth—but too many contractions in quick succession can actually harm baby. This is why your medical team will watch you and baby closely during an induction. You will likely need to wear a fetal heart monitor throughout labor. While extremely rare, Pitocin can lead to a rupture of the uterus or a tear in the uterine wall if the contractions are too intense. This can be dangerous for mom and baby. For women who have had a previous c-section and are now trying to deliver vaginally , the risk of rupture is about 0.

A woman who has had a previous c-section can still receive Pitocin—she just needs to recognize the risk and be in a hospital setting, so a doctor can watch her and react to any changes. According to the Mayo Clinic , approximately 25 percent of women who are induced—whether via Pitocin or another method—end up requiring a c-section.

On the other hand, a study found that c-section rate was actually lower among women who had full- or post-term inductions than those who were monitored by doctors and went into labor spontaneously at term or after their due dates. The reality is that a c-section may be necessary regardless of whether labor starts on your own or with an induction.

Over the years, Pitocin has developed a bit of a bad rap. There have been several contradictory studies on whether a link exists between Pitocin and autism. The causes of autism need to be better explored and analyzed on a broader level. Pitocin induction might not sound ideal. But the truth is that the best laid labor plans—well, they might go awry. If baby is overdue, if you have a medical condition or if labor has come to a standstill, Pitocin might just be the catalyst your body needs to kick things into high gear.

The good news is that Pitocin is widely regarded as a safe and effective drug, and countless women receive it in the delivery room every day—even if some do lament its effects. If you have questions or concerns, speak with your doctor.

And if you and your medical team determine that a Pitocin induction is necessary? You can feel empowered by your knowledge. There is no one way to labor—and, with or without an induction, the end prize is a baby in your arms. Heather Bartos , MD, is an ob-gyn and the medical director of Be. A navy veteran, she spent 12 years serving the women and spouses of the armed forces, and was an associate professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.

Barak M. Previously, Rosenn served as the director of obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine at Mount Sinai West in New York City and a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Starting an induction is usually the start of a long process, so your doctor will likely proceed with caution and with your input.

After that, Pitocin could be the next step. Once you are on Pitocin, you must be strictly monitored and remain in bed. Contractions typically start about 30 minutes after starting Pitocin. This is because of the risk of aspiration in the event that you need an emergency cesarean delivery. Pitocin-induced contractions might interfere with rest, too, so both you and the baby can get tired out. Mental and emotional frustration can have an impact on labor, too.

We know an induction can sound scary, and understanding exactly what it involves is key. Ready to deliver and welcome your little one? There are some natural ways to induce labor.

If your due date is here, read this and talk to your doctor about what's right for you. Are you pregnant and past your due date? Help induce labor naturally by pressing on these acupressure points along the body. When you're getting ready to give birth, packing for the hospital stay can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Our hospital bag checklist can help…. When it comes to using essential oils for pregnancy, there are several that have been studied.

Be patient, bring things to do to stay entertained, and make sure you have adequate child-care arrangements for several days for your other children. Waiting for induced labor to start can be tedious and nerve-wracking — just like waiting for spontaneous labor to start. Induction of labor usually — but not always — works.

Sometimes, the best plan if you and your baby are medically stable is to send you home, follow you closely through the office, and try again in a few days or a week. Labor is hard work and usually painful whether it starts on its own or is induced. When labor is induced with Pitocin, you need an IV and continuous fetal monitoring of your baby.

These interventions may limit your use of some natural means for coping with labor pain and you may choose to rely more on pain-relieving medications. Also, for some women induced labor is quicker so the pain is not spread out over many long hours and this can make it seem worse. Remember — you do not need to experience more pain in labor than you can tolerate, and your OB providers and hospital nurse will help you come up with ways to cope with pain in labor. Each way to induce labor has some risks.

You should discuss the reasons for induction with your clinician and understand the benefits and risks of the planned procedures. Ask your clinician about special policies related to induction at your hospital or that may apply to your individual case. Find out when you are expected in labor and delivery.

Remember that sometimes you may have to wait for staff and space to start your induction. You will be called by the Birthing Unit on the day you are scheduled. How busy the labor floor is changes from hour to hour. When Your Labor Needs to be Induced. Subscribe to Our Blog. What is induced labor? Why might my clinician want to induce labor? How is labor induced? If you are having contractions on your own, it may not be safe to use these medicines.

How long will the induction process take? Does induction always work? Is induced labor more painful? What are the risks to inducing labor? Some of the risks associated with each method are as follows: Pitocin : Pitocin can cause harder, more frequent contractions than a woman might otherwise have. As can happen in natural labor, very strong contractions might be stressful for the fetus.

This may require temporarily stopping the Pitocin. Rarely, it leads to an emergency cesarean delivery.