Why You SHOULD Choose Drugs In Childbirth- And Which Ones
There are many different definitions for the word drug, only one of which applies to this post- When I say there are some drugs you SHOULD choose for your labor I am not referring to chemicals injected or absorbed from the outside of your body in, rather to the looser definition of drug,
drug (drug)
1. a chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or body. (Found here.)
Which drugs should you choose for your labor?
Natural oxytocin, known side effects are-
"Oxytocin is the hormone that causes the uterus to contract during labour. Levels of oxytocin gradually increase throughout labour, and are highest around the time of birth, when it contributes to the euphoria and receptiveness to her baby that a mother usually feels after an unmedicated birth. This peak, which is triggered by sensations of stretching of the birth canal as the baby is born, does not occur when an epidural is in place. Administration of an epidural has been found to interfere with bonding between ewes and their newborn lambs." Sarah Buckley
Hey, that sounds kind of nice! Euphoria and loving that baby!
Or synthetic Pitocin, known side effects are:
"The following adverse reactions have been reported in the mother:
Anaphylactic reaction Premature ventricular contractions Postpartum hemorrhage Pelvic hematoma Cardiac arrhythmia Subarachnoid hemorrhage Fatal afibrinogenemia Hypertensive episodes Nausea Rupture of the uterus Vomiting
I could go on, but you can find the rest here, the official FDA guide to Pitocin.
Maybe you would enjoy the effect of the drugs known as endorphins in your labor. They can,
"In addition to decreased feelings of pain, secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria, modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress." Via medicinenet.com
Decreased pain IN LABOR?! Release of sex hormones....this sounds good. Of course you could always opt for an epidural....
Bupivacaine, a drug common in epidurals can do this:
"Spinal anesthesia may alter the forces of parturition through changes in uterine contractility or maternal expulsive efforts. Spinal anesthesia has also been reported to prolong the second stage of labor by removing the parturient’s reflex urge to bear down or by interfering with motor function. The use of obstetrical anesthesia may increase the need for forceps assistance."
(Don't worry, there are actually more side effects than this, you can find them here.)
Or maybe you would like the side effects from chloroprocaine, another common epidural drug.
(From the manufacturers package insert no less. You can read more, here.)
"Adverse reactions in the parturient, fetus and neonate
involve alterations of the central nervous system, peripheral vascular
tone and cardiac function.
Maternal hypotension has resulted from regional anesthesia. Local anesthetics
produce vasodilation by blocking sympathetic nerves. Elevating
the patient’s legs and positioning her on her left side will help prevent
decreases in blood pressure. The fetal heart rate also should be monitored
continuously, and electronic fetal monitoring is highly advisable.
Epidural, paracervical, or pudendal anesthesia may alter the forces of
parturition through changes in uterine contractility or maternal expulsive
efforts. In one study, paracervical block anesthesia was associated with
a decrease in the mean duration of first stage labor and facilitation of
cervical dilation. However, epidural anesthesia has also been reported
to prolong the second stage of labor by removing the parturient’s reflex
urge to bear down or by interfering with motor function. The use of
obstetrical anesthesia may increase the need for forceps assistance.
The use of some local anesthetic drug products during labor and delivery
may be followed by diminished muscle strength and tone for the
first day or two of life. The long-term significance of these observations
is unknown."
Remember- you will have drugs during labor. The question is, do you want the ones your own body produces during an undisturbed and euphoric birth, or do you want the drugs that have package inserts and warnings? It is up to you.
Comments
I knew all this before I gave birth, and my aim was for a drug-free birth at home. This started out fine until I reached transition and it became apparent that all was not going to plan. In the end, it transpired that my son had a back-to-back, asynclitic presentation. If I had had expert midwives, it's possible that they could have applied manouvers that *might* have got my son out under my own power. But this position classically causes intense contractions that seem continuous (yep!) and a failure to descend the birth canal which almost always results in caesarean, or if you're lucky, 'assisted' delivery after synthetic oxytocin.
I ended up transferring to hospital with my contractions wavering, in intense pain, the endorphins having died off, absolutely exhausted. The next step if I wanted to avoid a c-section was high levels of syntocinon. So, despite knowing the risk, I opted for an epidural. It enabled me to continue pushing (ineffectually) for further hours. In the end, I just avoided a CS, with a forceps delivery after failed ventouse attempts.
This was so far removed from what I'd wanted it was barely recognisable. I feel that I missed out on the benefits of my body's natural hormonal balance. So, although I largely agree with what you're saying, I wanted to point out that it's not always a straight-up choice. But also add that, having had this experience, I want to back up your attempt to show people who think that drugs are the easy option that they might do better to avoid them if they can!
Sorry this was so long.
Sometimes the lessons our births teach us are almost cruel, and often unfair. I wish I could give every woman the birth she wanted, but I can't. I just try to put some info out there so they are more likely to achieve what they want if it is within their power.
As far as inspiring fear in women, I simply quoted the package inserts for the drugs mentioned. I agree that they are disturbing, particularly because they are factual. Women have a right, even a responsibility to know what is being injected to their bodies while pregnant. Most won't read that while in the throes of labor. This info is out there - I am simply trying to make it easier to access.
Luckily for human kind, the drugs our own body produces during labor and birth (when undisturbed) are perfect, beautiful and have no warnings associated with them.
Hoping more women have safe and happy birth experiences! That is the point of this-
Yeah, "it's fine for YOU if YOU want an unmedicated birth"... but all those other women? Let them remain ignorant, for god's sake! How dare you ruin their choices with knowledge! They were so hoping for uninformed consent.
Give me a break. If you can't handle the truth, go stick your head in the sand and stop reading birth blogs.
-Say NO to drugs should apply to -labor whenever possible. It's the -difference between doing it -yourself and having it done to -you and suffering years of
-post- traumatic stress over it.
Post traumatic stress? Really? Lol. You shouldn't tell people what they should or shouldn't do during their own labor! Or try to scare them by telling them they will suffer for years if they use drugs! Get over yourself.