A common misconception among doulas and birthing families is that Pitocin is the enemy and to be avoided at all costs.
Oxytocin: a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and transported to and secreted by the pituitary gland. It is released during sex, childbirth, and lactation. In labor, it is causes the uterus to contract.
Pitocin: a synthetic version of Oxytoxin used to start or strengthen labor contractions during childbirth and control bleeding after childbirth
Like a lot of other interventions, when used strategically, it can be the difference between a cesarean birth and a vaginal birth. That’s right, Pitocin can actually help women have a vaginal birth.
In hospital births, Pitocin can be used if
Induction is necessary
The water has broken but contractions have not started
Labor has stalled, meaning there has not been any cervical change for a significant period of time or contractions have slowed or stopped entirely
Pitocin is inserted into the IV in your arm and administered as needed, starting at a lower dose and increased every 15-30 minutes until contractions are longer, stronger, and closer together. Many people worry that Pitocin contractions will be more uncomfortable than your body’s own contractions. Your contractions need to hit a certain intensity to allow cervical change. Your body takes you to that point more gradually than Pitocin does.
Other non-medical options for increasing contractions may include nipple stimulation, walking and changing positions, and getting frisky with your love. But if those options are not working, your care provider may want to introduce Pitocin, to prevent infection, fetal distress, or exhaustion from occurring and to prevent an emergency cesarean from occurring later.
If you are still unsure about Pitocin, make sure you talk to your provider for more information.