#6. Is Pitocin the "Bad Guy" in Hospital Births?
07/13/23 • 37 min
Welcome to this episode where we tackle a lot of misconceptions and dive deep into the role of Pitocin in labor and birth.
1. Understanding Pitocin
Explanation of what Pitocin is and how it functions similarly to the naturally occurring hormone, Oxytocin.
Contextualizes the necessity of Pitocin in certain medical situations like induction due to medical complications.
2. Natural Oxytocin Vs. Synthetic Pitocin
Explanation of the differences in how natural oxytocin and synthetic Pitocin work in the body.
3. Alternatives to Pitocin for Induction
Discussion of alternative methods for labor induction including amniotomy, prostaglandins like Cytotec, Cervidil, and mechanical dilation methods.
How each method has limitations that might necessitate the use of Pitocin.
4. Misconceptions about Pitocin
Clarifies that Pitocin is approved and intended for use in medical inductions, contrary to some misunderstandings.
Discusses the safety of Pitocin in elective inductions and its proper use.
5. Overuse of Pitocin
Addresses the overuse of Pitocin in spontaneous labors and situations without a medical need.
6. Post-Birth Use of Pitocin
Explains why Pitocin is often used after birth to control bleeding.
Discusses the different dosages and applications of Pitocin during and after labor.
7. Risk Factors for Postpartum Hemorrhage
Outlines the factors that increase the risk of hemorrhage after birth, including prior induction or augmentation of labor.
8. Risks of Pitocin
Learn about the potential risks of Pitocin, including increased pain, overstimulation of the uterus, potential for emergency C-sections, and the limitation of movement and diet during labor due to continuous monitoring.
9. The Natural Birth Process
We talk about the nature of birth and the effectiveness of natural contractions.
10. The Role of Interventions in Childbirth:
Discussing the overuse and misuse of interventions, I stress the importance of understanding when they are necessary and when.
11. Informed Decision Making : I encourage you to consider your health and your baby's health when making choices in labor and birth.
Learn More
Sign up for the FREE 3-Day Labor Masterclass
Check Out The Empowered Birth Academy
Have your BEST birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth, breastfeeding, and baby care courses that will help you feel prepared and empowered on your journey to and through motherhood.
And be sure to follow @alifeinlabor on instagram to join our little community of mamas who are navigating this stage of life right along side you.
https://alifeinlabor.com
Support the show
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. T
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*
Welcome to this episode where we tackle a lot of misconceptions and dive deep into the role of Pitocin in labor and birth.
1. Understanding Pitocin
Explanation of what Pitocin is and how it functions similarly to the naturally occurring hormone, Oxytocin.
Contextualizes the necessity of Pitocin in certain medical situations like induction due to medical complications.
2. Natural Oxytocin Vs. Synthetic Pitocin
Explanation of the differences in how natural oxytocin and synthetic Pitocin work in the body.
3. Alternatives to Pitocin for Induction
Discussion of alternative methods for labor induction including amniotomy, prostaglandins like Cytotec, Cervidil, and mechanical dilation methods.
How each method has limitations that might necessitate the use of Pitocin.
4. Misconceptions about Pitocin
Clarifies that Pitocin is approved and intended for use in medical inductions, contrary to some misunderstandings.
Discusses the safety of Pitocin in elective inductions and its proper use.
5. Overuse of Pitocin
Addresses the overuse of Pitocin in spontaneous labors and situations without a medical need.
6. Post-Birth Use of Pitocin
Explains why Pitocin is often used after birth to control bleeding.
Discusses the different dosages and applications of Pitocin during and after labor.
7. Risk Factors for Postpartum Hemorrhage
Outlines the factors that increase the risk of hemorrhage after birth, including prior induction or augmentation of labor.
8. Risks of Pitocin
Learn about the potential risks of Pitocin, including increased pain, overstimulation of the uterus, potential for emergency C-sections, and the limitation of movement and diet during labor due to continuous monitoring.
9. The Natural Birth Process
We talk about the nature of birth and the effectiveness of natural contractions.
10. The Role of Interventions in Childbirth:
Discussing the overuse and misuse of interventions, I stress the importance of understanding when they are necessary and when.
11. Informed Decision Making : I encourage you to consider your health and your baby's health when making choices in labor and birth.
Learn More
Sign up for the FREE 3-Day Labor Masterclass
Check Out The Empowered Birth Academy
Have your BEST birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth, breastfeeding, and baby care courses that will help you feel prepared and empowered on your journey to and through motherhood.
And be sure to follow @alifeinlabor on instagram to join our little community of mamas who are navigating this stage of life right along side you.
https://alifeinlabor.com
Support the show
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. T
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*
Previous Episode
#4: The Top Three Things You Need To Know As A New Mom
Have you ever felt like you can't measure up to those "good" moms that seem to have all of their ducks in a row and they seemed to have gotten "the memo" about how to be the mom you wish you could be?
News flash. You ARE that mom. I'm going to prove it to you in this episode.
Motherhood can be hard sometimes especially when we are raising babies and using up every ounce of our energy to make sure that we are doing everything "right".
Come join me in this episode as I share with you the top three things that I wish someone had told me when I had my first baby. EVERY mama needs to hear this.
Momming Like You Mean It baby care course
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Have your BEST birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth, breastfeeding, and baby care courses that will help you feel prepared and empowered on your journey to and through motherhood.
And be sure to follow @alifeinlabor on instagram to join our little community of mamas who are navigating this stage of life right along side you.
https://alifeinlabor.com
Sign up for the Week by Week Pregnancy Email Sequence: https://alifeinlabor.com/weekbyweek
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*
Next Episode
#7. Why We Should Use The Term “Birth Plan” Instead of “Birth Preferences” and Why It Matters
- Introduction
- Discussion on the importance of having a birth plan.
- Clarifying what a birth plan is and what it isn’t.
- What is a Birth Plan?
- A birth plan as a communication tool
- The importance of understanding it is not a contract, but a plan
- Exploring the concept of a birth plan and how it’s a crucial part of labor preparation.
- Why Every Pregnant Woman Has a Birth Plan
- Insight into how every birth follows a plan.
- Addressing common misconceptions and stereotypes associated with birth plans.
- Debunking the Myth that More Preparation Leads to More Disappointment
- Discussion on how birth plans do not inherently lead to more disappointment when things change.
- Why a Birth Plan is Not Just a "Preference List"
- Understanding the difference between a birth plan and a preference list.
- Why writing down preferences doesn't necessarily influence the course of your birth.
- Understanding the Negative Connotations Around "Birth Plans"
- Addressing the misconceptions surrounding birth plans.
- How to Use Your Birth Plan as a Tool
- How a birth plan can be more than a list of things you don't want.
- The necessity of going beyond ticking boxes and actually understanding and exploring your options.
Want to feel more confident in creating your own personalized and empowering birth plan, download " The Birth Plan Blueprint".
The Birth Plan Accelerator Course - learn the risk, benefits, alternatives and action steps associated with each labor intervention so that your birth plan will never get "thrown out the window".
Have your BEST birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth, breastfeeding, and baby care courses that will help you feel prepared and empowered on your journey to and through motherhood.
And be sure to follow @alifeinlabor on instagram to join our little community of mamas who are navigating this stage of life right along side you.
https://alifeinlabor.com
Sign up for the Week by Week Pregnancy Email Sequence: https://alifeinlabor.com/weekbyweek
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*
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