pitocin
Let’s dive into Pitocin and how it’s used in labor and birth. There are many misconceptions and anecdotal evidence about the intensity of Pitocin which will be addressed as well. In general, Pitocin is used to augment labor contractions, meaning increase the contractions strength, length of time, and pattern.
what is pitocin?
Pitocin is a medication used to induce labor and control bleeding after childbirth. It is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which is naturally produced in the body and plays a crucial role in the labor process. Pitocin is typically administered through an intravenous (IV) line in a hospital or birthing center setting.
The use of Pitocin is a common intervention during childbirth, especially when a woman’s labor has not progressed as quickly as anticipated or when there are concerns about the health of the mother or baby. Pitocin works by stimulating contractions in the uterus, which can help to move the baby down the birth canal and ultimately lead to delivery.
While Pitocin can be an effective tool for managing difficult labors, it is not without risks. The medication can cause contractions to be stronger and more frequent than they would be naturally, which can lead to a more painful and difficult labor. In some cases, this increased intensity of contractions can cause the baby’s heart rate to drop, which can be a sign of distress and may require intervention.
There is also a risk of uterine rupture, especially in women who have had a previous cesarean section or other uterine surgery. This occurs when the uterus tears or ruptures during labor, which can be life-threatening for both the mother and baby.
Despite these risks, Pitocin is generally considered safe when used appropriately and under the guidance of a trained healthcare provider. The medication is carefully monitored throughout labor to ensure that the contractions are not too strong or frequent, and that the baby’s heart rate remains stable. The dosage can also be turned off, stopped, or reduced depending on these circumstances.
how are pitocin contractions different than your body’s natural labor contractions?
Radiant Birth And Wellness is based in Colorado, so for this we will use hiking a mountain as an analogy for Pitocin.
As with starting to hike any major mountain, you begin with the easiest part. Things are slow, more level, and not as steep. As you hike further and further up your mountain there are switch-backs, the altitude starts to get to you, and you feel tired. Now you are really working up a sweat in the middle.
As you reach the peak, it is harder and harder to keep your breath. You are tired, maybe take a few steps and pause, then another few steps and pause.
Labor is similar to the hike up the mountain with reaching the peak symbolizing you reaching the highest intensity of contractions and meeting your baby for the first time! At the top of the mountain, you can feel similar highs, emotions, and exhaustion.
Now, how does this analogy relate to labor with Pitocin. Well, imagine that instead of starting that hike from the bottom and it gradually getting more intense, that you are dropped in the middle of the hike where the switch-backs, scrambling, and hard-breathing begin. You would picture that hike way differently than you would have if you started at the bottom.
This is what Pitocin does in labor. Instead of experiencing your uterine contractions increase slowly, Pitocin brings you further along in labor to stronger contractions. It brings you closer to the finish line with intensity versus working up to that intensity slower.
This is why you hear many people talking about how strong or intense Pitocin contractions were. Well, they were the same intensity that your contractions would have gotten to in order to birth your baby without medicine, but your contractions were augmented by the use of synthetic oxytocin, Pitocin.
how can I increase my body’s natural oxytocin to avoid or limit the use of pitocin in childbirth?
Before I begin, the first thing you should know is that you can always deny or say no to Pitocin use in your birth. You have the right to refuse any medical procedure you wish. Ultimately, there are many medical reasons why it might be necessary to use Pitocin, but not every case. Be sure to keep that in mind and ask for more details if you wish. Check out another blog post about making informed decisions in labor here.
Alternatives to using pitocin
We can enhance how your body is naturally making oxytocin, which can speed up your labor and intensity, but can also make your body more receptive to Pitocin if you should need it. There are special circumstances where you would want to talk with your healthcare provider first about using these techniques. Consider asking, “Is there any reason why I shouldn’t do….?”
Kissing, snuggling, and making love are all ways are body releases this chemical normally. In addition, the feeling of oxytocin can spark endorphins and other feel good chemicals in your body to relieve pain and continue to progress your labor.
Nipple stimulation is another way your body produces Oxytocin. Oxytocin is also called the “bonding or love” chemical. It is released, along with other hormones during breastfeeding to ensure that bond with your baby and feed them. But in labor, nipple stimulation, like rolling your nipples or massaging them, can send the oxytocin signal and increase the strengths of your contractions.
Use positions that increase the pressure your baby’s head has on your cervix. There is a balance between staying comfortable in labor and keeping labor moving. The positions that are the most uncomfortable due to pressure and contractions are most likely the positions that making your cervix change shape. The pressure on your cervix due to your baby’s head sends a message throughout your body to produce more Oxytocin. So the more pressure the more oxytocin, the more oxytocin the less likely you will need Pitocin and the less likely your labor will stall or pause.
How does oxytocin work normally in the body during childbirth?
Current research is still trying to determine exactly how labor begins. Is it the pregnant person’s body that determines it or is it their growing baby? We still don’t officially know, but we do know that once it begins the hormone Oxytocin is a major player in continuing labor contractions.
As we noted briefly in talking about positions, Oxytocin is in a positive feedback loop within the body during childbirth. Oxytocin starts labor contractions and therefore leads to more pressure on your cervix where the baby’s head is as your uterus pushes them down. As your body feels more of this pressure on your cervix it signals back saying, “send more Oxytocin”. As more and more Oxytocin is being made, contractions increase with their frequency and intensity, creating even more pressure.
This cycle continues until your baby is born! Then your body feels that relief from pressure on your cervix and slowly lowers the amount of Oxytocin it is making for childbirth. As we will talk about in the following section, Oxytocin is still important for your uterus to contract back to the size it was before you were pregnant and to control postpartum bleeding.
Thankfully, nature has helped us with this! Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact with your baby also release Oxytocin throughout your body, bonding you two, but also helping your body to release your placenta and clear the uterus of the extra blood and additions that helped keep your baby alive during pregnancy.
how can pitocin be used in the immediate postpartum period?
In addition to its use during labor, Pitocin can also be used to control postpartum bleeding. This occurs when the uterus does not contract effectively after delivery, which can lead to excessive bleeding and even hemorrhage. Pitocin works by stimulating contractions in the uterus, which helps to compress blood vessels and reduce bleeding.
As with its use during labor, Pitocin is carefully monitored when used to control postpartum bleeding to ensure that the contractions are not too strong or frequent. In some cases, other interventions may be necessary to control bleeding, such as manual compression of the uterus or surgery.
conclusion
Pitocin is a medication that can be an effective tool for managing difficult labors and controlling postpartum bleeding. However, it is not without risks and should only be used under the guidance of a trained healthcare provider. Women who are considering the use of Pitocin during labor should discuss the risks and benefits with their healthcare provider and make an informed decision based on their individual circumstances. Ultimately, the goal is a safe and healthy birth for both the mother and baby.
And despite what you may hear from families who have used Pitocin in their labors, it is not more intense or painful than non-medical labor contractions. Labor contractions will reach a peak intensity that is effective in labor progression. Remember, you have tools to increase your naturally created Oxytocin and those same tools allow Pitocin use to be more effective!
Remember that every birth is different and there is no shame, judgement, or prize for using or not using Pitocin or any other medical interventions for that matter. Birth the way that feels right to you, which may include Pitocin or it may not. No matter what, you will make the right decisions for you and your baby during labor.
As always, I hope you stay RADIANT!