How to Have an Induction With Pitocin
Pitocin. To many planning a birth, the idea of induction with Pitocin makes them fearful.
“Pitocin will make your labor so much harder!” “Pitocin is the demon drug!” “Pitocin is the gateway to having a cesarean birth, the beginning of a cascade of interventions!”
These are all familiar things I’ve heard in childbirth classes, from other birthing women and also from clients who are nervous about planning a birth and whether it will go according to said plan, either for labor to begin on its own or proceed without anything needed to birth their babies.
What you’re about to hear isn’t popular suggestion: Pitocin isn’t the worst thing ever. In fact, when used as intended, it does a wonderful job of progressing a labor, especially when needed to complete an induction successfully. Having knowledge of Pitocin and the way it is used can help you feel confident in your plans for birth, and if it becomes a tool for your labor, you’ll feel relaxed and able to work with it!
Pitocin is a synthetic oxytocin, creating strong contractions similarly to the natural hormone of oxytocin that directs labor during natural birth. It is given to mothers through an infusion with saline in controlled doses through IV. The dosage of Pitocin can be increased or decreased and contractions are monitored to determine how the baby tolerates the stronger labor contractions. While everyone’s body handles Pitocin differently, when gradually increased over time, it can create stronger contractions that are very similar to active labor.
If a medical induction is needed, or if labor has begun and contractions are not strong enough or close enough together to progress a labor towards birth, Pitocin does an excellent job of creating contractions needed to finish the job.
If your care provider begins to suggest Pitocin for your labor or as an agent for a labor induction, here are some key pointers for your discussion:
Know Your Bishop Score
Knowing what is happening with your cervix and the position of your baby can help you decide with your care team whether Pitocin will work well for your labor. If your cervix is still long and thin, completely closed and your baby isn’t engaged in the pelvis, other agents may be more useful first to help prepare your body for labor.
A cervix that is thin and pliable is much easier to be changed with stronger contractions from Pitocin.
Need to know more about your Bishop score? Read more here.
Ask About Freedom of Movement
As contractions become stronger in natural labor, it’s important to keep moving for your comfort and while your baby is moving inside the uterus to prepare for positioning itself for birth. The same is true with Pitocin; moving around while connected to the pump can help you to progress your labor as well as provide more relief from the strength of each contraction.
Since Pitocin is an agent controlled by a pump, it is necessary for continuous contraction and heart rate monitoring during its use. Ask your team if you can use a portable or wireless monitor or if you will be able to use a birth ball or lengthen the leads to give you more movement options.
Utilize Heat
In natural labor, since contractions increase gradually over time, the body has more time to get used to each surge and fall. Often, Pitocin makes contractions progress in the body much faster. The use of heat can greatly help provide relaxation during each contraction, and using it can assist you in moving more easily throughout your labor. Ask your providers if you will be able to cap off your IV occasionally and get into the shower or bath, and have your doula or partner apply heat packs to areas of your body to break up lactic acid and relieve tension. You can examine more heat options here.
With proper planning in place, Pitocin can help you achieve a controlled labor that gives you freedom to enjoy both moving around and using tools to comfort yourself during your birth experience.
Need to discuss an induction plan? Our professional labor doulas can help you understand how your care providers and hospitalists use Pitocin to assist your labor so you can rest assured it is the best choice for you!
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