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Cytotec to induce labor?


My doctor wants to induce me because I have cholestasis of pregnancy. She wants to use Cytotec to start labor. The FDA does not suggest using this drug to induce. Has anyone heard about this?

Posted: 12/03/2007 by kaspir22

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Hi, i was induced also with cytotec and my experience was very good. I only needed 2 pills, and i had the epidural when i was about 4cm dilated, after the epidural i felt nothing. I started with the cytotec about 6am and my baby was born at 9pm. It took long because her cord was around her neck but everything went great. Dont listen to all the horror stories, think positive. My first contractions beforenthe epidural didnt hurt either.
posted 03/06/2012 by Valeria_dmz
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PLEASE - DO NOT USE THIS DRUG. You all are correct in that it is not FDA approved (being used off label for cervical ripening) because of multiple reports of uterine rupture, placental tears, bradycardia, abdominal tetany, fetal heart tone decelarations. The manufacturer condones this and has made it publicly known and refuses to do any studies for the possible use of this med for those same reasons as stated in its warnings. Yes, I do come from experience. I was induced April 2008 with cytotec at 41 weeks being fixed and hard. My Csection was cancelled. After 3 doses my water broke and shortly thereafter indescribable pain hit me to where I could not move, hyperventilating, unable to speak, an emergency Csection. We are both lucky to be alive. I have recovered completely but with my child having been oxygen deprived due to rupture and tear, it will be years before we know full extent of our experience with developmental delays, feeding tube, etc. ASK about off-label.
posted 09/16/2008 by a BabyCenter Member
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Cytotec is a drug intended to prevent stomach ulcers, and the FDA does not suggest any other use. It is clearly labeled that this drug is not to be administered on a pregnant woman, nevertheless it is used to induce labor. Cytotec can have horrid effects on the women's body including over stimulation of the uterus and risk of rupture in the amniotic sac, placenta, or uterus. I don't know why a doctor, or woman would allow an ABORTION PILL to be used on her and her baby. That right Cytotec is used on women up to their ninth week of pregnancy to abort their baby. Cytotec is used to induce labor, because it is cheap, and gives the doctors "control". If this is not enough to convince you read the story of Tatia Oden French. Even after a tragedy like her's this drug is still used. The U.S.'s maternity system is sick and it appears that not much can stop a billion dollar business. The biggest piece of advice that any low-risk pregnant women can receive is don't step in to a hospital.
posted 06/05/2011 by candraaa
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Cytotec is used for abortion as a tool in ripening the cervix and start the process to abort a baby. For these reasons, Cytotec is used to help a woman who is being induced and whose cervix is not quite ready for labor to become ripe so that Pitocin can be administered to start contractions. If Cytotec is not used and a woman's cervix is not ripe enough, the induction has a higher risk of failing and the chance for a c-section goes up. Rest assure,if your doctor gives you this medication, it will help to keep you and your baby safe during delivery.
posted 02/13/2008 by Aimee C.
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Another reason Cytotec should not be used for induction is that it comes in pill form without scoring so it it difficult for anyone to measure the dose when breaking the pill. It costs the hospital pennies to use Cytotec and they charge thousands so it's a big money maker for hospitals. Also, it is inserted vaginally so once it is absorbed by the body there is no way no reverse it. An IV can be removed, Cytotec cannot. Weigh all the risks and benefits for your situation but be informed and especially careful about signing consent forms without reading and changing any language you don't agree with.
posted 02/10/2012 by sjt10
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watch pregnant in america!
posted 04/20/2012 by a BabyCenter Member
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I have heard of Cytotec but I don't personally think that it would be good for the baby or you to use it. Its an abortion drug and it could cause more problems than a long pregnancy can. You do not have to do everything that your doctor wants you to, make your own decision. I personally think that maternity acupressure is the way to go, I used it during my second pregnancy, I was 2 and 1/2 weeks overdue, a couple of hours after I started using it I was in the hospital having my baby. You may want to look into a more natural way to induce. There is more information at Good luck.
posted 12/18/2007 by pixie27105
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The manufacturers of Cytotec have actually sent out letters to practitioners stating that the drug was never intended as a labor tool and is not recommended for intravaginal use. It can cause uterine rupture and possibly death to mother and/or baby. I would highly advise against this. You're absolutely right, the FDA has NOT approved this as a labor aid, and it is NOT safe. I highly recommend that any time your practitioner suggests something to you (whether you're pregnant or not) you ask to read the product insert before you consent. In this case you would see no mention of the drug being intended for use in labor, and instead a warning against it. There are other induction methods that have been tested and are generally considered to be safe. Please don't allow anyone to put your own and your baby's safety at risk, even if they claim it's safe. Ask them to prove it!
posted 04/20/2008 by katnewton
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My doc used this to induce me. I'm not even sure how much of the pill he inserted. Long story short....I almost died. Uterus ruptured, cervix split in half and I had to be rushed into surgery. I received 4 pints of blood and spent several days in hospital. Unfortunately I had no time to do any research because the induction wasn't planned. I didn't know what he was using until he came in to insert it. It was actually years later before I connected what happened to me to the Cytotec.
posted 08/14/2014 by a BabyCenter Member
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I did this with my 1st labor started about 1hr after cytotec was given to me everything went smoothly I had some iv meds the pain wasn't that bad but everyone is different... These answer are so stupid on here your tryin to find ways to start your labor the pill has a side effect which happens to be starting labor so of course it not recommended but when you 40 -42 your baby is fully developed so if you were to take the pill your baby will be fine and far as pain goes the last time I checked child birth was not walk in park if your so worried stop looking for ways to induce and just sit down and wait for your baby to come on its own .....
posted 08/05/2014 by jacquell9214
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