Are you getting pitocin after delivery?

[BakingMama]

I'm trying to decide if I should get pitocin after delivery..........

I'm not planning to get any medication for labor or delivery. So, I'm trying to decide if I should get pitocin afterwards. My midwife said she'd just give me a shot afterwards. She said for women who are undecided she recommends it because by the time they figure out you are bleeding too much, well you're bleeding too much. I guess she had been with a few women who had severe bleeding and so it brought it a little more close to home. She also mentioned that from all of the research she has read she's in favor of it. But, that she doesn't push it and if I don't want it she's totally supportive of that.

So, are you getting pitocin after delivery and why or why not???

[EllasMama]

I'm not, unless I'm hemorrhaging or third stage is clearly problematic. With DD it took a fairly long time (esp. by hospital standards but thankfully I wasn't in a hosp.) for the placenta to be expelled but they didn't pull on it or anything, and it eventually came out on its own.

My reason is that I don't want drugs in my system unless necessary, plus my midwives don't give it unless indicated anyhow. I do hope my cord is longer this time, so baby will reach my breast and stimulate the uterus that way.

Carol

[Honeybee'smama]

I don't think my mw gives it unless there is reason to, like a hemmorage. Though it is not something we have specifically talked about. I knew some hospitals just gave it to you to speed placenta delivery, I have not heard of mw doing this though.

I don't want uneccessary drugs in my body at any time, but especially when pg or nursing.

[Boobiemama]

I didnt get it after my last birth center birth, so I assume I wont have it again unless there is a bleeding problem.

[Aura_Kitten]

just peeking in to say:

a good midwife would know that if you nurse the baby immediately following birth, on demand, and massage your uterus, you generally won't need pitocin at all.

congratulations on your little one and best of luck with your birth.

[Pariah]

No, not getting it. My midwives will only give it as a last resort for excessive bleeding, after trying other things first.

[alicia9178]

If we end up delivering at home like planned I won't get it because MW does not carry it to a birth. If we deliver in the hospital it will most likly be an induction anyways so I will end up with it after the delivery anyways.
Alicia

[LolaK]

I delivered in a very main stream hospital with my mother there to make sure they didn't try anything funny. (Of course my husband was there too but his only job was to remind me that I didn't want drugs.)

I was not given pitocin (and I didn't want it). They just had me give one last push and out came the placenta. You've got to remember that a bit of bleeding after giving birth is not a cause for concern.

If you have a healthy birth there is no reason for it. I am surprised that your MW says she routinely gives it since a huge hospital doesn't?? Perhaps you should speak to another midwife just to get another opinion.

[MelissaEvans]

If pitocin really was needed for all births, then how are moms living in the figurative African jungle? Our bodies typically don't need that "help." Nursing your baby will produce oxytocin naturally so that you don't need the artificial stuff. Now, if they start messing with you (tugging on the cord or what have you) then it may be necessary; if the birth is extra hard it may be needed. I have a hard time with "just in case" medicine though. It's another "birth is an emergency waiting to happen and we have to save you" mentality compared to "you, your body, and your baby know how to do this and I'm here to catch."

[forest~mama]

I would suggest posting this in the midwife, doula, childbirth educator area. It would be interesting to see what other midwives had to say about it. I haven't specifically asked my mw about this, but she's pretty hands off, so I think she wouldn't do it unless medically necessary.

[BakingMama]

Thanks for the replys and suggestions! DH and I have been talking and I'm think I'm just going to go without it. Since I don't want anything else in my system for labor and delivery, it does make sense to opt out post as well.

FYI- I posted the questions on the Midwife, Doula etc. area too in case anyone's interested.

[MyLittleWonders]

Just jumping in from June ddc - with ds#1, I can't remember if I had any after the birth or not. I know I didn't with ds#2 - and this was in a hospital. I nursed right away, the ob massage my uterus/abdomen, I delivered the placenta without problem, and continued to nurse for almost an hour before they took ds for his "check-up." I know my mw carries it with her to births (this time is a hb), but it's not routine; it's only given in emergencies. I agree with pp's - if you nurse immediately after giving birth, and nurse for a while, and also have someone gently massage your uterus, there shouldn't be a need for pitocin.

[Erin+babyAndrew]

nope, not going to get it. nursing the baby does the same thing, and is probably more effective.

[Audreysmama]

NO WAY! (unless medically necessary)

With dd 1 I was given it with out consent and after a natural birth I had no idea what the heck hit me and why the contx hurt so bad...I could not hold or even look at my baby I was in such instant excruciating pain. It was horrible. I was very p*ssed off when I realized this.

With dd2 I had planned on nursing to help expel the placenta, but it was not necessary and came out with in minutes of her birth.

This time I hope things go much the same as last time.

Good luck with your choice mama!!