The Devil Cytotec
Compiled by LLM
Cytotec is not a devil when used for treating
ulcers- its intended use. But when it is used
to induce birth in pregnant women, the effects
can be catastrophic.
Following is documentation about the sadness,
terror and death caused by the induction drug
of choice of many doctors and midwives. Included
are birth stories, links, and articles about the
havoc this ulcer drug causes. Note that Cytotec
(misoprostal) is in no way approved by its manufacturer
or the US government for use on pregnant women.
See
the Cytotec
(misoprostal) Induction forum on BirthLove
too.
Click to view the desired section:
Updated Cytotec Information
for Doctors and Patients, Supplied by Searle
New Cytotec Label- released 4/16/03: Click
for the new, downplayed version of the label:
PDF
file, or text-only.
Full Text
of the Revised Cytotec Label On 4/17/02 a
revised Cytotec label was released, accommodating
the fact that doctors are using Cytotec to induce
labor, regardless of warnings issued by Searle.
The label is not as strong as it was, but still
should provide a sober second thought to those
inclined to read package information. Excerpted:
Labor and Delivery:
"A major adverse effect of the obstetrical
use of Cytotec is hyperstimulation of the uterus
which may progress to uterine tetany with marked
impairment of uteroplacental blood flow, uterine
rupture (requiring surgical repair, hysterectomy,
and/or salpingo-oophorectomy), or amniotic fluid
embolism. Pelvic pain, retained placenta, severe
genital bleeding, shock, fetal bradycardia,
and fetal and maternal death have been reported.
There may be an increased risk of uterine tachysystole,
uterine rupture, meconium passage, meconium
staining of amniotic fluid, and Cesarean delivery
due to uterine hyperstimulation with the use
of higher doses of Cytotec; including the manufactured
100 mcg tablet. The risk of uterine rupture
increases with advancing gestational ages and
with prior uterine surgery, including Cesarean
delivery. Grand multiparity also appears to
be a risk factor for uterine rupture.
The effect of Cytotec on the later growth,
development, and functional maturation of the
child when Cytotec is used for cervical ripening
or induction of labor have not been established.
Information on Cytotec’s effect on the
need for forceps delivery or other intervention
is unknown."
April 17, 2002 Summary of Labeling Changes
The following is an explanation from Searle
about why the label changes were made. To view
this document from the FDA, click
here.
[The new label] Removes the contraindication
and precaution that Cytotec should not be used
in women who are pregnant.
Rationale: The drug is widely used by obstetricians
and gynecologists (OB-Gyns) to induce labor,
delivery, and is part of the FDA approved regimen
for use with mifepristone to induce abortion
in pregnancies of 49 days or less
[The new label] Clarifies that the contraindication
is for pregnant women who are using Cytotec to
reduce the risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID)-induced stomach ulcers.
Rationale: This contraindication now refers
to the drug’s approved indication, for
reducing the risk of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers.
It does not contraindicate offlabel uses related
to practice of medicine.
[The new label] Creates a new labor and delivery
section of the labeling and provides safety information
related to those uses.
Rationale: 21CFR 201.57.f.7 requires labeling
to include drug effect information if a drug
has a recognized use for labor and delivery,
whether or not the use is stated in the indications
section of the label.
[The new label] Provides new information that
uterine rupture, an adverse event reported with
Cytotec, is associated with risk factors, such
as later trimester pregnancies, higher doses of
the drug, including the manufactured 100 mcg tablets,
prior Cesarean delivery or uterine surgery, and
having had five or more previous pregnancies.
Rationale: Risk factors allow physicians to
identify patients who may be at greater risk
for these adverse events. This information may
guide safer use of the drug.
Letter from Searle Warning Doctors Against Cytotec
Birth Inductions
Cytotec's manufacturer, Searle, pleaded for doctors
to stop using Cytotec on pregnant women. Here
is a reprint of the letter, also found on this
FDA web page.
August 23, 2000
Important drug warning concerning unapproved
use of intravaginal or oral misoprostal in pregnant
women for induction of labor or abortion
Dear Health Care Provider:
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.
Cytotec is indicated for the prevention of NSAID
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including
aspirin)-induced gastric ulcers in patients at
high risk of complications from gastric ulcer,
e.g., the elderly and patients with concomitant
debilitating disease, as well as patients at high
risk of developing gastric ulceration, such as
patients with a history of ulcer.
The uterotonic effect of Cytotec is an inherent
property of prostaglandin E1(PGE1), of which Cytotec
is stable, orally active, synthetic analog. Searle
has become aware of some instances where Cytotec,
outside of its approved indication, was used as
a cervical ripening agent prior to termination
of pregnancy, or for induction of labor, in spite
of the specific contraindications to its use during
pregnancy.
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.
Searle has not conducted research concerning
the use of Cytotec for cervical ripening prior
to termination of pregnancy or for induction of
labor, nor does Searle intend to study or support
these uses. Therefore, Searle is unable to provide
complete risk information for Cytotec when it
is used for such purposes. In addition to the
known and unknown acute risks to the mother and
fetus, the effect of Cytotec on the later growth,
development and functional maturation of the child
when Cytotec is used for induction of labor or
cervical ripening has not been established
Searle promotes the use of Cytotec only for its
approved indication.
Further information may be obtained by calling
1-800-323-4204.
Michael Cullen, MD
Medical Director, U.S.
Searle
Cytotec References
Protocol: Misoprostol
(Cytotec) for Cervical Ripening and Induction
of Labor What guidelines do the OB/GYNs use
in inducing women?- their own. The cavalier nature
of this "protocol" is heartstopping.
Vaginal
Cytotec in The Cochrane Library
Says the Cochrane Library about vaginal Cytotec:
"Uterine hyperstimulation and meconium
stained liquor were more common with misoprostol
than with prostaglandin E2. Lower doses of misoprostol
compared to higher doses did not show significant
differences except for more need for oxytocin
augmentation and less uterine hyperstimulation
without fetal heart rate changes. Information
on women's views is conspiciously lacking."
Oral
Cytotec in the Cochrane Database
Says the Cochrane Library about oral Cytotec:
"Unlicensed use of misoprostol in pregnancy
is increasingly common, because misoprostol
is cheap, stable at room temperature and effective
in causing uterine contractions. Oral use of
the drug misoprostol may be convenient, but
high doses could cause uterine hyperstimulation
and uterine rupture which may be life-threatening
for both mother and fetus."
Reviewers' conclusions about Cytotec taken
orally:
"Oral misoprostol is an effective method
for labour induction in the third trimester.
However, the data on optimal regimens and safety
are lacking. It is possible that effective oral
regimens may have an unacceptably high incidence
of complications such as uterine hyperstimulation
and possibly uterine rupture."
Women as
Cytotec Guinea Pigs There is no informed consent
given to doctors and medical researchers before
Cyotec, including rectal after birth, is used.
Includes studies and references.
Cytotec Articles
BirthLove Columns by LLM:
- Sad for
the Hopeless, Cruel Ways of the World (5/23/03)
Cytotec has been re-labeled; it certainly doesn't
make it less dangerous! Why do doctors use it
anyway?- and why do women keep trusting their
births to people who care so little about them?
Included: quotes from a doctor who really does
care about the cruelty of obstetricians and
medicalized birth.
- Cytotec
and More: Letters, Comments and a Column
(10/16/00) Doctors just love Cytotec-
despite the fact that it kills women and babies.
Includes a reprint of a letter sent by ACOG
dismissing the Searle letter (see above on this
page).
Evidenced-Based
Practice: Cytotec An OB nurse cares for a
patient who was induced with Cytotec, then decides
to research further into this drug and its rampant,
unethical use in birthing women. Her findings?-
"Women are often unaware of the potential
side effects of this drug, the lack of studies
in its use for inductions, and the disapproval
of the company in its use for this purpose...All
of this adds up to a terrible scenario for American
women. How many more will lose their fertility,
children, or even their lives because of an obstetrician's
desire to be home for dinner?"
Cytotec in Health magazine
"The April, 2003 issue of Health magazine
is now on the stands. On the cover a headline
boldly proclaims 'DELIVERY ROOM DANGER: Don't
Let Your Doctor Give You This Drug'. The article
is an exposé on Cytotec, the ulcer-turned-labor
drug that has led to numerous deaths in the
past few years. It thrills me to no end that
for the next month, the magazine will be sitting
in grocery stores and doctors offices across
the country. Health, which is part of the Time
magazine group (Time, People, Sports Illustrated,
and others), has a high circulation and no doubt
will open many eyes to yet another danger of
medically managed birth. From the article:
'A physician in Dayton, Ohio, is serving
prison time for secretly spiking his former
fiancée's drinks with Cytotec after
she became pregnant and refused his demands
that she get an abortion. She eventually miscarried.'
"Unbelievable!!"
-Laura Shanley,
Bornfree! The Unassisted Childbirth Page
The Criminal
Assault of Cytotec A midwife tells of how
she witnessed a mother lose both her baby and
uterus to the devil Cytotec.
Jagged
Little Pill What every pregnant woman should
know about a powerful new drug -by Loren Stein.
Excerpted :
"Doctors began experimenting in the early
1990s with the "off-label" use of
Cytotec on pregnant women, often without the
woman's informed consent. They did so without
any scientific protocols or consensus on how
the drug should be safely used, despite the
warning on the manufacturer's package insert,
which explicitly states that Cytotec may cause
the uterus to rupture in pregnant women if it
is used to induce labor. "Uterine rupture,"
it continues, "may result in severe bleeding,
hospitalization, surgery, infertility, or death."
Excerpt:
The dark side of US obstetrics' love affair with
misoprostol Ina May Gaskin, CPM tells about
how dangerous Cytotec is- and how foolhardy it
is to give such a drug to pregnant women when
its ultimate effect at this point cannot be known.
Includes references.
Cytotec
Thread on a Midwives' Email List Cytotec talk
"from the horse's mouth".
Cytotec
Induction in the US: An Example of Vigilante Obstetrics
by Marsden Wagner, MD, MSPH. Dr. Wagner says in
plain, bold language how dangerous and reckless
Cytotec use is- and just how rampant its use is
in North American hospitals: it has become the
induction drug of "choice" by many OBs
(actively replacing Pitocin). Also: why ACOG recommendations
should be taken with a grain of salt; and how
important it is to speak out as loudly as possible
against illicit Cytotec use.
More by Marsden Wagner, MD:
Cytotec:
Dangerous experiment or panacea? Doctors are
prescribing an unapproved, unpredictable ulcer
drug to induce labor in thousands of women. Why
are women the last to know? This article, by renowned
midwife Ina May Gaskin for Salon magazine,
July 11, 2000, includes mention of why doctors
love Cytotec so much: it's "dirt cheap".
Two more articles published by Ina Mae Gaskin
about Cytotec :
- Mothering
Magazine, Summer, 2001- "Induced and
Seduced: The Dangers of Cytotec."
- MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, June 2001, 11:2 and
titled "The Dark Side of US Obstetrics'
Love Affair with Misoprostol"
Forced
Labor "Why are obstetricians speeding
deliveries with an ulcer drug that endangers mothers
and their babies?" by David Goodman for the
January/February 2001 Mother Jones magazine.
Includes stories of women and babies who have
died from the drug.
Letter
about Cytotec to John Hopkins Magazine Incredibly,
in an article about lack of informed consent in
birth, they didn't include mention of Cytotec.
Cytotec has Destroyed Tahany
Hassan's Quality of Life
Tahany Hassan had Cytotec used on her experimentally
to abort her stillborn fetus (see Cytotec Letters
to Midwifery Today, just below). Many other women
were used in this experimental trial as well .
This drug has destroyed her reproductive tract-
resulting in multiple surgeries, and lifelong
pain.
"The consistent pain I have been experiencing
for the last two years, and since I had my Hysterectomy,
was suspected to be caused by damaged ovaries
resulted from the operation that I had on 11 Jan
99.
I was admitted to Hospital on 22 March this year
to have the ovaries removed to stop the pain,
when doctors started to operate on me they could
not believe what they saw, every thing was stuck
inside (ovaries, stomach .. ) from the last operation
in which I was given Cytotec. The doctors struggled
for five hours to separate every thing but could
not remove the ovaries. Those doctors said they
will never operate on me again or recommend that
I have another operation although they confirmed
one will be needed. They said I just have to live
with this pain forever.
After I realized what they did to me on 11 Jan
99 , I contacted many people from the government
asking questions, they were not interested in
my case because it was not a case of medical negligence
but it was a crime, I thought. About a year later
the matter was publicized in the Sydney Herald
Newspaper (no mention of my case though) and it
appeared that the experimental with Cytotec went
on for ten years in Perth (Western Australia)
resulting in the death of thousands of babies
(about a hundred each year) as well as many mothers.
I believe that that the experimenting with Cytotec
may have stopped in Perth, but a recent article
in the Sydney Daily Telegraph revealed that they
restarting the experiment in Sydney right here
where I live.
We may not be able to stop them from going on
about their business, but we should do every thing
we can to let women know that the consequences
of using this drug would leave some of them wishing
they had died." -Tahany
Hassan
Cytotec
Letters to Midwifery Today Magazine Tahany
Hassan (above, who had four previous cesareans)
was coerced into consenting to having Cytotec
experimentally used to induce the labor of her
stillborn infant. The drug almost killed her.
This page includes a response to this case by
Marsden Wagner, MD- pediatrican, neonatologist,
perinatal epidemiologist, and former Director
of Women's and Children's Health for the World
Health Organization. Another Cytotec letter
by Marsden Wagner can be found here.
Cytotec Activism
ICAN Calls
for Ban on Cytotec A nonprofit educational
and support organization calls for the immediate
ban on the obstetrical use of this dangerous drug.
Cytotec
Lawyer Network Lawyers who can help when there
has been injury from Cytotec use. From the site:
"Cytotec is a popular ulcer drug that is
used 'off label' by doctors to induce labor. The
drug is only approved as an ulcer medication and
has been associated with serious side effects,
which include death."
Women
Need to Know About Cytotec! Read to see how
Virginia Birthing Freedoms is making change at
the governmental level, hoping to ensure that
no woman gets Cytotec used on her without her
informed consent.
A Doctor's Cytotec Experiences,
as Posted to a Major OB/GYNs' List
To: Ob-Gyn-L@Obgyn.net
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 08:40:58
"I used it and still use it. I probably
use it differently than most on the list. Either
100 micrograms orally or 25 vaginally, and I rarely
use anything else. I will wait a minimum of 12
hours of quiescence between doses, or starting
Pitocin augmentation if cervical change has stalled.
Rather than a tocogenic, which is how I view Pitocin,
or ripening agent like Cervidil, I find that Cytotec
just simply starts the process of labor. I think
about 95% of patients require only one dose, and
no Pitocin augmentation. Average length from induction
to deliver is about 10-12 hours. I fought hard,
and all my hospitals now allow the use of Cytotec.
As long as the cervix changes, I don't care how
infrequent the contractions are, and as long as
there is no fetal distress, I don't care how frequent
the contractions are. I have used it in the past
of VBACs where the reason for the initial c-section
was breech presentation, but I no longer do VBACS
so that option is moot. I induce almost everybody
at 40 weeks, obviously if they have not delivered
spontaneously before then, and have a primary
c-section rate of 6% (which includes the two 11
pounders.)
One thing have been doing is giving it to women
I planned to induce, who were noted to have regular
uterine contractions upon admission, but having
no significant discomfort, fetal intolerance or
cervical change. Attempts to induce these women
simply by using Pitocin augmentation has failed
me too many times, but the Cytotec seems to change
the contractions without labor to a progressive
labor pattern. Of course, the above is unencumbered
by data."
-Richard Chudacoff, MD
Chudacoff Obstetrics & Gynecology, PLLC
Sugar Land, TX
More from Richard:
To: Ob-Gyn-L@Obgyn.net
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2001
Subject: Cytotec vs Pitocin
"Driving back from a delivery this morning
I had a thought (do not laugh, it happens to me
from time to time): Why not place rectal Misoprostol
immediately post-partum instead of using IV or
IM Pitocin to decrease normal post-partum bleeding?
Seems it would be cheaper, easier and as effective.
Perhaps we, the list, could do a global, randomized,
controlled study on this question."
-Richard Chudacoff, MD
Chudacoff Obstetrics & Gynecology, PLLC
Sugar Land, TX
Note from Leilah- it is advisable for pregnant
women to lurk on OBs' and midwives' lists so they
can see how much "care" their "care
providers" really do provide- and to see
the names and emails of the worst offenders as
well. A good starting point is Yahoo
Groups (enter in "OB/GYN" in the
seach box), and obgyn.net.
For midwives' lists, a good place to start is
Sabrina's
Pregnancy Page and join the midwives'
mirror list, and join SageFemmes
as well.
Cytotec Quotes and Birth
Stories
The Birth Story
of Emily Faith, Uterine Rupture Survivor Arlene
was induced with her sixth child with Cytotec;
this illicitly used drug caused her uterus to
catastrophically rupture (note that she'd never
had a cesarean). This page includes her birth
story as written by her eldest daughter, and plenty
of photos; as well as a photo of her Dateline
Cytotec interview.
Cruel,
Cold Cytotec Devils Arlene, who lost her uterus
and almost her life to a Cytotec induction with
her sixth child, tries to share her experience
and communicate about the dangers of this drug
with an OB/GYNs' email list. The response she
got was heart stopping- cold, heartless, cruel.
Kim lost her uterus to Cytotec
"I happened to pick up a copy of Health
magazine yesterday, and read the story regarding
the dangers of Cytotec. I have to say I was
stunned, as I was given Cytotec to induce labor
during the birth of my son in 1998.
"Immediately after his birth, my blood
pressure plummeted and I began to hemorrhage.
The placenta would not deliver which had to
be manually extracted. After much frantic medical
intervention, I stabilized, and was sent home
4 days later. One week after delivery, I went
back to my OB/Gyn complaining of severe bleeding
and extreme uterine and abdominal pain. The
OB did some blood work, but sent me home after
telling me it was just gas pains. The next day,
he called to tell me to meet him in the emergency
room immediately as I had a massive sepsis infection.
"After one week, three D&C's and nine
blood transfusions later he came into my room
and announced that I had to have an emergency
hysterectomy. End of story. When I asked why
this could be happening, he replied that it
was 'one of those unfortunate things'.
"NEVER, EVER was I told about the dangers
of Cytotec, nor was I told that this was not
FDA approved for labor induction and the 'Off-
Label' issue.
"After my hysterectomy, I had to undergo
chemotherapy to control a malignancy that resulted
from this ordeal. I still cannot believe that
practioners would act so irresponsibly, and
feel that not only have I lost a part of myself
unneedlessly, so have many other women. It is
just mind boggling." -Kim
Castro
Cytotec; not "vasa previa"
"I was 41 weeks pregnant with marginal
PIH [pregnancy-induced hypertension]. We were
trying to push my labor a little because of
the PIH. I had had several unsuccessful attempts
at ripening my cervix with prostaglandin gel.
On 4/09/00 I went to the hospital to try again
using Cytotec. I really was excited about it.
I was given the tablet (1/4 tablet I think)
about 11 am or noon. Labor didn't begin. I don't
remember if I was ever given another dose. I
was sent home about three hours later. I had
no idea of the tragic outcome to follow. I drove
home. After walking in the door I thought I
felt my water break. When I looked it was blood.
I called my midwife immediately. She told me
to have someone drive me to the hospital.
"I reached the hospital about 10 pm.
No fetal heartbeat could be found. After delivery
everyone assumed that the cause of death was
vasa previa because I had a cord with velamentous
insertion, but the autopsy showed no broken
vessels. Cause of death was listed as fetal
anoxia [anoxia- lack of oxygen]. I believe the
Cytotec caused hyperstimulation of the uterus
which cut off my daughter's blood supply."
-Lisa Grenier
Cytotec in Costa Rica
"Cytotec is in big time use here. The
ob nurses say the only way they know a doctor
has 'slipped' it into a woman´s vagina
is that when he leaves the ward the woman freaks
out with pain, and of course there is fetal
distress. It's an unspoken and common practice.
It's use is prohibited officially, but in practice,
it's used all the time in public and private
hospitals.
"A woman called me last week and said
she had planned a homebirth with a doctor, the
only one who does homebirths in Costa Rica,
(and he has a lot of good qualities, he's my
back up for many homebirths, and he's always
really helpful to me). She said he arrived at
her house when her contractions started (first
babe), did a vaginal exam and left. She proceeded
to 'lose it', called him to come back, he returned,
artificially ruptured her membranes, thick meconium,
and rushed her for a cesarean section. He never
told her that he gave her any drugs, but she
suspects, rightly, that she received something,
she just doesn't know the name. I haven't asked
him about it, but maybe one day I will. She´s
really in shock. We want to publish our next
brochure on Cytotec, it should scare those bastards.
"A woman called us and is sure that her
baby was killed by Cytotec, has tried to pursue
it but has been belittled and insulted, the
doctors are really protected of course. We offered
to help her, but she has been so scared by the
way she was treated when she questioned what
happened to her poor little baby." -anonymous
North American midwife working in Costa Rica
"The
damage done is unimaginable."
"My name is Shelly Howell I am 31 years
old. I have had 5 miscarriages, and August 2000,
I gave birth to a beautiful daughter Megan Marie.
She was 8 lbs, 1 oz. and born at 38 1/2 weeks.
"My ob-gyn Dr. said that I would not be
in labor more than 12 hours before a c-section.
Well 20+ hours later I had an emergency c-section.
I was enduced with Cytotec one day at least
50mg, before nothing happened. I was sent home
and brought back to the hospital a day after
leaving the hospital for the same routine. I
got at least 50 to 100mg of cytotec the 2nd
day of enducing. I also had severe hypertension.
My daughter went into distress around 4:30 PM
I also had too much magnesium sulfate in my
body, that I could not hold my own legs during
stage 2 (pushing) labor. Finally another Dr.
came in and stated that we were going in for
an emergency c-section.
"My daughter suffered a stroke at birth,
followed by severe seizures, and then at the
age of 14 months old a left hemispherectomy.
The damage done is unimaginable. I just wanted
to tell you so you could let others know of
the dangerous side effects to Cytotec. If you
have any questions please feel free to contact
me. Thank you for your information. Take care
God Bless."
-Shelly
Howell
Angie's Cytotec
Nightmare Angie lost her uterus, her ovaries
and "everything else" to Cytotec- including
her trust in doctors and midwives.
Lisset's
Cytotec Heartbreak Lisset was given Cytotec
vaginally because her doctor was worried her placenta
would "dry up" after 40 weeks of pregnancy.
(Oy veh...) The multiuple assault to her uterus
this drug caused resulted in her utuers rupturing
"from one end to the other" and her
baby delivering into her abdomen. Note that Lisset
had never had a cesarean; she had an unscarred
uterus.
The
Birth Story of Emily Faith, Uterine Rupture Survivor
Cytotec destroyed Arlene's uterus and broke the
hearts of her entire family. Note that Arlene
had an unscarred uterus- she had never had a cesarean;
but still Cytotec made her uterus rupture. This
page includes mention of how very important it
is to donate blood. external link
A uterine rupture support group can be found
on
this page.
Letter from
Lisa Lisa had Cytotec used on her. As a result
of the oxygen-depleting, crippling contractions
she endured- tetanic contractions- her daugher
was brain damaged, and now suffers from microcephaly,
hypoxic ishemic encephalopathy, seizures, and
cortical blindness. In this letter Lisa cries
and rages at the pain she and her daughter have
been made to suffer... let all women know the
consequences of unquestioningly following doctors'
orders.
Welcome
Message to New Members on the Cytotec List
This page includes the story of the founder of
the uterine rupture list, and includes links to
join these important lists.
A Bittersweet
Twin Tale A mom is induced with Cytotec without
her knowledge or consent in her twins' births.
"Take
This Pill And You’ll Have Your Baby In The
Morning" Many midwives are just as eager
to use Cytotec as doctors are. The mother in this
story had two previous cesareans; she was lucky
her VBAC uterus didn't rupture.
Pain, Humiliation,
Betrayal... The Story of Iain Alexander’s
Violent Birth While reaading this wrenching
story, note that the Cytotec was responsible for
Iain passing meconium; stressed babies poop. The
uterus-crunching contractions that come with Cytotec
(and other induction drugs) are very stressful
for babies. Midwives at home must not induce!
Too many needless transfers result because of
it.
High risk
pregnancy does not have to mean high tech birth
Maurenne Griese, an obstetrical nurse, shares
the circumstances that led to her own Cytotec
induction. Discussed: how common it is for "off
label" drugs to be used in pregnany and childbirth,
how ultrasound pictures can be misleading, what
it feels like to have pre-eclampsia, and how her
Cytotec contractions were "hard, fast and
explosive".
Maurenne's message to all birth attendants:
"What you say and do during birth impacts
the woman for the rest of her life. Treat her
and her support persons with love, compassion
and respect. Honor the sacred spirit of birth-
you are just a bystander, an intruder. I get very
frustrated with caregivers that just don't get
this!"
Letter
from Phyllis to Leilah (LLM,
site editor) Cytotec destroyed her beautiful
birth experience and her faith in childbirth-
but still Phyllis counts herself as lucky to not
have been permanently damaged by this drug.
Cytotec "squeezed the life out of"
her grandson
"As a midwife, mother and grandmother,
I had to respond (albeit tearfully), to your
articles [on this page] citing the dangers of
Cytotec. My daughter was induced by a midwife
prepratory to her home birth because the baby
was "getting too big", and she had
a scheduled vacation coming up. He (her baby)
was not due for at least another twelve days!
(The day he passed on after the life-supports
were disconnected). Anyway, suffice it to say,
the tetanic contractions which followed the
introduction of the "medication" into
her primiparous [first-time mother] vagina,
literally squeezed the life out of her beautiful
baby boy: Isaac Edison Box, wt.7lbs. 11 and
one half ounces.
"He was born with a zero APGAR, and at
five minutes it was one. He was rushed to hospital
where he remained on life-support until July
5, 2000. My daughter had also incurred an abruptio-placenta,
and could have died. (She was fine after both
pieces of her placenta were delivered). Her
pregnancy was without complication, and the
baby was fine until the back-to-back contractions
of second-stage [time when baby is coming out]
misoprostol-induced labour, took the very life
out of his exhausted body.
Thanks for listening,
Pam Jessee
L.M.
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