Pitocin question

[kellij]

So if you start pitocin and it seems to be working if you stop it will you keep having contractions? I assume they prefer to always leave the pitocin drip in, but if I have use it, I'd prefer to be able to move around to help things progress.

[MsBlack]

I have seen labor started with pitocin, and then pit stopped once labor got established--mom's body took over and birth was straightforward. This is not that uncommon, really. It probably depends on how 'favorable' you are for labor (dilation/effacement of cervix, baby's position, whether you are at term or being induced 'early'). The cases I 've seen like this, the moms did have very favorable cervix and their babies were ready to be born.

[ears73]

My ob said I could start and stop and that pit takes 7 minutes to get out of your system but then when I was hooked up there was little chance of me getting off it. I ended up having a full on pit birth (16 out of 20) but did not take pain meds... I posted my birth story directly under someone else who had a pit but no meds birth too so it is possible! Also, I moved around but obviously not as if I wasn't hooked up. To get to the bathroom (which was often!) I was unplugged. Good luck!!

add: I never dilated well, as pp said.

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by kellij

I assume they prefer to always leave the pitocin drip in,

Well, "they," referring to hospital staff, prefer lots of things! They prefer to have you induced (even if medically unnecessary) because then you can give birth during daylight hours, weekdays & at their convenience. They prefer to have you stay in bed, hooked up to monitors. They prefer to have you quiet (& that's why they prefer epidurals, since they keep you quiet & in bed.)

Personally, I don't think any birthing mama should concern herself with what her HCP "prefers." Only what is best for the health of herself & her baby (& waaaay too often, maternity care providers in America today are NOT acting in the best interests of mama & baby!)

Originally Posted by kellij

I assume they prefer to always leave the pitocin drip in, but if I have use it,

If you "have to use it" is largely a matter of opinion. For example, most OBs require induction at 42W gestation & recommend it at 41W (even though the average gestation is 41W1D for 1st-time mamas.) They also often recommend pit to "speed things along" even when there are no real reasons to do so.

So, again, I wouldn't blindly trust the recommendations of my HCP on whether or not you "have to" use it.

Have you taken a good, non-hospital-based childbirth class yet like Bradley?

But yes, as others have said, often labor becomes established, mama's body takes over, and the pit drop can be removed. However, I have the impression (not certain though) that VERY RARELY would a hospital HCP recommend this. It's something you have to ask for. (Pit is used very, very frequently in American hospitals, something like 60% of labors are induced or agumented with pit, so I can't imagine that once they start it, they're going to consider stopping it without you speaking up to ask.)