Pill for Inducing labor ???

Question

Has anyone ever heard of, or had, a pill put up inside them for inducing their labor ? This is what the midwife has told my daughter they are going to do tonight to induce her labor !

Answer 1

Hopefully not Cytotec?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misoprostol...

Answer 2

It is to ripen your cervix and my advice is DON'T DO IT.  If you do go into labor it makes your labor much more difficult.  Your baby will come when ready.

Answer 3

In the hospital they can do a vaginal supposity (cervadill or other similar products) that are basically used to soften and open the cervix. Then pitocin is usually given in the morning to get contractions going if they don't start on their own.

This "pill" can only be used in the hospital, it isn't something you take home.

Answer 4

Yes, it's prostaglandin.  Interestingly enough, it is also contained in s***n, which is why a common recommendation to get labor going is to have s*x.

It can be in a pill form that is put into the cervix; gels are another form.

Answer 5

That's cytotec (Misoprostol)

The FDA has very, very strongly warned against its use in inducing labour, and it is not approved for that use.  However the FDA can not ban it because it is a drug with valid medical use in non-pregnant people.

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2000/...

The purpose of this letter is to remind you that Cytotec administration by any route is contraindicated in women who are pregnant because it can cause abortion. Cytotec is not approved for the induction of labor or abortion.

[...]

Serious adverse events reported following off-label use of Cytotec in pregnant women include maternal or fetal death; uterine hyperstimulation, rupture or perforation requiring uterine surgical repair, hysterectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy; amniotic fluid embolism; severe vaginal bleeding, retained placenta, shock, fetal bradycardia and pelvic pain.

Induced and Seduced: The Dangers of Cytotec

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregna...

Stop the Misuse of Cytotec to Induce Labor

http://descentintomotherhood.blogspot.co...

Cytotec Induction and Off-Label Use

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/c...



Misoprostol (Cytotec) for Labor Induction: A Cautionary Tale

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/c...



The jury is returning with a verdict:

Cytotec is NOT safe for induction of labor!

http://www.cytoteccase.com/

Forced Labor

News: Why are obstetricians speeding deliveries with an ulcer drug that endangers mothers and their babies?

http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront...



Induction of Labor: The Misoprostol Controversy

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/4589...