Cytotec – also known as Misoprostol – has been used on unsuspecting pregnant women to induce labor for quite some time now. Here are five reasons not to use cytotec in labor. Educate yourself!
Five Reasons Not to Use Cytotec in Labor
Reason 1: The use of this drug to induce labor has killed or damaged
Women and babies have been damaged at best and killed at worst.
The cost in terms of human life and the resulting permanent damage that Cytotec can do cannot be measured, although the number of deaths represented on the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, coordinated by Ina May Gaskin (2008), continues to rise. As long as this non-evidence-based practice continues, babies may suffer permanent brain damage. Mothers might never have children again because tetanic contractions caused their uterus to rupture, requiring a hysterectomy to save their lives. Mothers who suffer amniotic fluid embolism may live through it, but with near-death experiences. Families will endure the lifelong agony of waiting with joy-filled hearts for the birth of a new life only to ache endlessly because that day ended the life of the mother and/or the baby. These costs, along with the tragic outcomes of mothers who took diethylstibestrol (DES) or thalidomide while pregnant, are much too high; these practices must be stopped. As with the history of DES and thalidomide, only a public outcry will stop the use of Cytotec to induce labor.
In fact, it is women who have had Caesareans who are at greatest risk from Cytotec. An article published in 1999 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that uterine rupture occurred in five of 89 women with previous Caesarean delivery whose labors were induced with Cytotec — about one out of 16, a shockingly high figure, representing a more than 28-fold increase over those who did not have Cytotec induction for VBAC (vaginal birth after Caesarean). One of the five ruptures also caused a baby to die.
Combining the results in 20 studies of Cytotec-induced labors published in peer-reviewed journals and papers presented at professional meetings — a total of 1,958 births — I discovered a total of two maternal deaths, 16 baby deaths, 19 uterine ruptures and two life-threatening hysterectomies.
Reason 2 : The manufacturer of Cytotec says it should NOT be used to induce labor.
In August 2000, the original manufacturer of Cytotec, G.D. Searle & Co. (Searle), sent a letter to over 200,000 OB/GYNs in the country stating the possible side effects of Cytotec when given to pregnant women, such as hyperstimulation of the uterus, uterine rupture, fetal bradycardia, amniotic fluid embolism, death of the mother, and death of the child. Subsequently, ACOG wrote a rebuttal to the FDA regarding Searle’s letter, claiming not enough evidence and scientific studies warrant eliminating misoprostol’s use to induce labor. Searle, however, found enough evidence in its trials of misoprostol for the treatment of ulcers to issue the letter. Searle also stated that the company did not intend to study or support the use of Cytotec for induction of labor or cervical ripening.
By the way, ACOG requested to have the letter withdrawn. Why would ACOG have such an interest in a drug with no scientific evidence to promote its use on pregnant women???
Reason 3: There is NO scientific evidence for the use of Cytotec to induce labor.
In 2009, a study was published titled “The Freedom to Birth—The Use of Cytotec to Induce Labor: A Non-Evidence-Based Intervention.” This study concluded:
What are the implications for childbirth educators, doulas, midwives, nurses, and physicians? It is our responsibility to look at the evidence rather than the recommendations of a trade organization whose mission is to protect its members. Every day, we see many birth interventions done for convenience while decreasing the safety of mothers and babies. Interventions, such as Cytotec inductions, are not always researched for a specific use to assess the risks and benefits. Our clients trust us to base what we say and how we advise them on research and evidence. We should encourage mothers to move around during labor, consume food for energy, and let the birth process take its natural course (while observing carefully how the mothers and babies are progressing) without interfering. We should inform our clients, before they go into labor, of all the known side effects of interventions used in labor and birth for both the mother and baby. We should encourage them to do more research on their own, giving them the necessary resources, and to discuss fully with their provider what they will and will not agree to during labor. They should be aware that they have the right to refuse any treatment or drug. Compared to a medicated birth, when babies come into the world naturally, they are more alert, bond immediately, nurse quicker, have fewer respiratory problems, and know instinctively they have arrived into a welcoming space. As mothers, childbirth educators, midwives, doulas, labor and delivery nurses, and obstetricians, we must start now to actively support our freedom to birth based on the scientific evidence, which overwhelmingly lets birth progress on its own, in its own time and its own way (unmedicated, moving around, and surrounded by loved ones and the new life that is coming into this world). By doing so, we will not only change how birth is accomplished in the United States but, more importantly, we will bring forth new generations who come here in the natural way they were meant to arrive, honoring the process, the baby, and the mom, and saving many, many lives.
Reason 4: Once used it cannot be undone.
Cytotec is not like Pitocin. Once introduced, it cannot be undone.
After Cytotec is inserted in the vagina, it dissolves instantly. There is no turning back. There is nothing that can be given to reduce the severe tetanic (very violent and painful) contractions wearing on the mother’s uterus and depriving the baby of oxygen far longer than can be tolerated. These and many other side effects do not need to continue to occur. Alternative interventions are available to induce labor and can be turned down or off (Pitocin) or withdrawn (Cervidil, Prepidil).
Reason 5: Cytotec is not used because of its benefits.
Cytotec is not used because of its benefits and certainly not because of scientific research. It is being used because it is cheap!
Cytotec is inexpensive. The cost is 25 cents per pill.
Sources for Five Reasons Not to Use Cytotec in Labor:
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684033/
- http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/00/Nov00/111500/cp0001.pdf
- http://www.cytoteccase.com/Links.htm
- http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/cytotec.asp
- http://www.natural-motherhood.com/cytotec-induction.html
- http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00445.x/full
- http://www.oshmanlaw.com/pharmaceutical_litigation/cytotec.html
- http://www.natural-motherhood.com/cytotec-information.html
- http://rememberthemothers.org/
- http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2012/3/19/ina_may_gaskin_and_the_safe_motherhood_quilt_project_focus_on_high_us_maternal_mortality_rates
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