Cytotec at homebirths - Page 3

[yequanamama]

Midwifery Today's most recent issue deals with this issue in a sense - it's about obstetrical intervention in general and points out that many midwives are getting in the habit of "managing" birth, just like doctors, instead of just "being there" as a midwife ideally should. It's an enlightening discussion. Go to www.midwiferytoday.com and scroll down to the purple box in the middle which reads "From the Editor: Out of the Pot, Into the Fire, by Jan Tritten." And, of course, the other articles are great too!

I have also heard very negative things about Cytotec. For goodness sake, the label warns that pregnant women should never take it because it can induce miscarriage! But it's true - once a drug is approved by the FDA for a specific use, a doctor can prescribe it for any use.

[crazy_eights]

Originally posted by hawleyclan
- Of under 5000 women given cytotec in studies, 25 had ruptures, 2 maternal deaths, 15 infant deaths, and 8-10 hysterectomies.

Interesting - this works out to .5% uterine rupture, the same rate as uninduced VBAC. Interesting b/c those same numbers are being used by OB's to argue that VBAC is dangerous and cytotec safe. However, many here would argue the exact opposite!

I do believe the rate of traumatic rupture (resulting in hysterectomies and infant death) is higher with cytotec. Also, maternal deaths are extremely rare with VBAC ruptures.