Misoprostol (Cytotec)

Hi All,

Has anyone had this used as an induction? My midwife mentioned it to me today. I'm hoping our little guy will come on his own, as I really don't want to start down the intervention road. I am currently 40 weeks 5 days. Any info would be most appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by josievance on March 29, 2011 at 9:07pm

Thank you for the response. I'm so confused as to why the midwife would go that route or even suggest it. I'm delivering with a practice that is attached to a hospital, so she may be following hospital protocol. I'm not in any rush to get him out, especially before 42 weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Mel on March 29, 2011 at 9:13pm

There is alot of info out there about why not to use Cytotec. It is actually supposed to be used to prevent ulcers. I have just been reading about this in Ina May's Gude to Childbirth.  It can cause uterine rupture and profuse bleeding resulting in hysterectomy.  It is also know to cause maternal and fetal deaths. I would look into something else, the risks are not worth it.

Permalink Reply by Desiree Johnson on March 30, 2011 at 12:04pm

Cytotec is not approved for induction. Doctors who use it are doing so "off label." There is a huge controversy over this drug, as it has been known to hyper-stimulate the uterus, causing fetal distress. It can even cause complications in the mother. I am not telling you this to scare you, only to encourage you to research into this issue more.

Is there a reason they would not use Cervadil? Cervadil contains prostaglandins that help the cervix ripen. It is much safer for cervical ripening than Cytotec. I agree that even Pitocin would be a safer option (for bringing on contractsion). If I understand Cytotec correctly, it is a pill. Once inserted into the vagina, it isn't so easy to calm the uterus down if things get too intense. At least with Pit, you usually have an IV of it, where the amount can be adjusted.

Where I live, it is common for a woman to go to the hospital the night before an induction. She receives a little "tampon" of Cervadil, which stays in place while she sleeps. Sometimes, this is enough to start labor. Most of the time, the woman goes to the hospital in the morning, where they check to see if her cervix has ripened sufficiently. If it has softened and started to dialate, they might consider her favorable for induction, so they start the Pit drip to encourage contractions.

I hope you don't need to be induced for any reason, but if so, maybe you could ask about Cervadil and Pit and just avoid the whole Cytotec route. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Christine Hewlett on March 30, 2011 at 12:14pm
Cytotec is a highly dangerous drug and is used in 3rd world countries as an 'abortion drug' often sold illegally. It is not approved by the FDA and is reported to cause uterine rupture.
My little girl went to 41 weeks and 1 day and my midwife suggested I go for Accupuncture to bring on labour.  
Within 5 minutes of the Accupuncture needles being placed in my hands and legs, I started having contractions. 
2 hours later I was in active labour. 
I had a cervical sweep and membranes ruptured with my firstborn and I found the second labour brought on by Accupuncture to be much more manageable. 
Permalink Reply by Katherine McPartlan on March 30, 2011 at 1:41pm
I was given Misoprostol to begin induction with my son, just three days past my 'due date'...Honestly after the terrible experience I had I wouldn't wish Misoprostol on anyone! (My first blog is of that experience) It is not approved by the FDA for this use and its warning list is very long. I am a new member of My best birth and joined specifically to help myself learn how to have a better experience with our next child than we had with our son in December '06. Whatever you choose, I hope you will look for other options than Misoprostol! Best of luck and best wishes for your baby!
Permalink Reply by Samantha on March 30, 2011 at 3:15pm

I hope your little guy wil show up soon a medical induction is no fun and like you I waited tell I was 42 week but my little guy would not come so the med induction was the last option.

Remenber that everyone is differnt and things that dont work for one will work for othres dont give up.

Best of Luck and HAPPY Birthing=))

Permalink Reply by josievance on March 30, 2011 at 3:53pm
Thanks again, everyone! I feel very confident that this little guy is doing just fine in there and will come when he's ready. All the info provided here has already calmed my anxiety and given me plenty to talk about with my midwives if interventions are suggested.
Permalink Reply by Desiree Odenbrett on April 1, 2011 at 1:01am

I had it used as a pre-pitocin induction for an "overdue" baby (41wks, 6days).  It took me from 0 to 60 in fifteen minutes.  Non stop contractions off the charts, uterine hyperstimulation and fetal distress.  The fetal distress caused my baby to pass some meconium which led to his man-handling (dark hand shaped bruises on his back) and separation from me after birth.  To stop the uterine hyperstimulation, I was injected with Terbutaline (also off-label use).  This injection did nothing, my contractions were off the charts until I gave birth.  The Terbutaline did, however cause my baby to be born hypoglycemic.  This landed him in the NICU for several days with IVs, shots, blood tests etc.  The Drs. also forced formula on us over this.  (In the package insert, neonate hypoglycemia is directly addressed as a negative side effect from the off-label use of Terbutaline in pregnant women, but the Drs kept insisting it was because I have Hep B, which I do not).

 

DO NOT USE CYTOTEC!  AVOID INDUCTION!  It truly is a dangerous snowball effect that never needs to happen in the first place.  It is healthy and normal for babies to stay in the womb past 42 weeks.  First births tend to go at least this long, women around 29 years old have generally longer gestation, genetics factor in, etc.  Do not let you, your baby, and your birth experience be harmed for a matter of other's convenience.  

 

Good luck, you were made to give birth... naturally :) 

Permalink Reply by Desiree Odenbrett on April 1, 2011 at 1:09am

Cytotec (Misoprostil) is used often because it is cheaper.  Midwives that are attached to a hospital usually follow hospital protocol, be careful.

 

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/cytotecwagner71.asp

 

Permalink Reply by Desiree Odenbrett on April 1, 2011 at 1:12am

The warning against use on pregnant women from Cytotec packaging:

 

http://www.cytoteccase.com/Warnings.htm

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