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I've heard that it' syntocinin? is never used more than once in a woman's life as it can interfere with the heart. I was induced for DD and put on the drip because I was 'ripe' and couldn't use the gel as it would bring on contractions that were too strong.
Anyone aware of this and what options are available second time around if I need to be induced. Want to avoid a cs more than anything in the world!
Where did you hear that, nellnell?
I'm sure I've spoken to people who've had more than one induction... SIL on here has had two I think...
Hopefully someone more helpful will pop in soon :)
I've also never heard of that so I can't help you with that one but I am interested in you not being able to have the gel due to being ripe.
I too was told when I went into hospital that my cervix was soft and 1cm dilated, however they still went ahead with 2 lots of gels. I wonder if this would of had anything to do with the full on labour I had, no time to get used to the pain and hard extremely painful contraction basically on top of each other the whole time. Does anyone have any info on this?
TIA
PS Sorry to crash your thread too, it's just very interesting!
I was induced with the drip for DS and then had my waters ruptured with DD and was told that if contractions didn't start by the end of the day I would be put on the drip. I had a heart condition brought on by pregnancy at the time so i would hope that it doesn't have any relationship to the heart as that would have been a dangerous mix. As it was I didn't need the drip, so maybe lucky?
Not true - but there are always risks with artificial stuff!
I had epidural with #1 with synto drip, and with #2 had synto augmention.
#3 totally natural ;)
Its definitely not true - I have had synto twice, and my SIL has been induced with the synto drip 4 times. Having said that, though, the use of syntocinon does have risks and side effects.
I've had synto twice, but my OB had previously said he's reluctant to use it more than once, as there is an increased risk of bleeding, so if he uses it in subsequent pregnancies he said he doesn't leave the room.
I only needed it towards the very end of DD's labour. She was prem, and we both had high heart rates and my cervix was doing funky dilating things LOL (hows that for technical terms!).
I asked the same question here after my OB had said he doesn't like to use it in subsequent labours and lots of people replied saying they'd been induced more than once with it, so *shrug*.
As for the heart thing - no idea. But the side effects listed on the synto are quite numerous, so I wouldn't be surprised!
Thanx for the replies everyone. Interesting.
I heard from friends who have all been to the same GP as me (specialises in obs in small country town). Going to GP next week so will have to ask.
Janine - Yeah I was told that if he used the gel that labour could come on super fast and things could get out of control. It was better to control things with the synto and it was even turned off about 3 hours before I gave birth as my body took over and everything was going well. A friend of mine wasn't ripe and was given 2 lots of gel and had a stressful birth. Bub was stunned because it was so quick. My birthing experience was beautiful but still aiming for spontaneous labour this time round.
Thanks for the reply nell, I think I'll add this to my list of reasons not to be induced next time around!
All the best for the rest of your pregnancy and birth!
The doctor saying that the gel would make labour come on super fast seems odd to me - with my first, I had to have 3 lots of the gel and still nothing happened until I was put on the drip. All the gel does is 'ripen' the cervix, usually in preparation for induction of labour by syntocinon. I was told that it is the drip that makes labour come on fast - the synto can make contractions come on faster and stronger than if you were to go into labour naturally. I can vouch for that - my spontaneous labour was much better than my 2 induced labours. I actually felt more in control when it happened naturally, and it was easier to handle.
Bon - apparently it's hard to judge how much gel will ripen the cervix and if too much is put in - it's harder to control. I know of people who have had the gel applied and the dr has had to literally get in there and scrape it off the cervix as the reaction was so strong.
Will sus it all out next week when I visit the dr.
Oh ok, so its more of a dosage issue. I can see how that could happen. In that case its understandable why the doc wouldn't want to use it, plus if your cervix is already ripe then you don't really need it anyway.
Bon, this is only the case with the gel if you are already "ripe" to start with.
I was 1cm dilated and "ripe" when I got to hospital for the induction but they still did 2 lots of gels.
I'm thinking it only happens if you are kinda on your way already when you are given the gels.
Hope that makes sense :)