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| |    Pitocin-Does It Increase Labor Pain? by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. Pitocin, a medication that is often used to induce or strengthen labor, has been subject to much debate regarding its usefulness and safety. A synthetic form of oxytocin, a hormone made in a woman's pituitary gland, increases the strength and frequency of labor contractions. While Pitocin has been shown to help prevent cesarean sections when used properly, some women still fear to take it because they've heard that it makes labor contractions unnaturally strong and difficult to bear. Does Pitocin cause a more painful labor? This question is difficult to answer. If a woman's labor isn't leading to cervical dilation, her contractions may be too mild. In this situation, adding Pitocin will make the contractions stronger and more frequent, and hence more painful and difficult to handle. Is that the fault of the medication, or just the strength of contractions necessary to achieve birth? In addition, since continuous fetal monitoring is necessary with Pitocin treatment, many women are told to remain lying in bed, which takes away some of the non-medical methods to manage labor pain. This may not be a problem for women using epidural anesthesia, but it can affect the coping power of a mom who desires natural childbirth. Women who are contemplating Pitocin and who desire natural childbirth should discuss the possibility of sitting in a rocking chair or walking around their room even if they need to be tethered to the monitor for the safety of the baby. So, yes, labor may be harder with Pitocin than it was without it, but labor is often hard and certainly intense - it takes strong contractions to bring a baby into the world! Participating in the Pitocin decision As with all procedures that affect you or your baby, participating in the decision will give you a sense of control that will make your experience more personal and positive. Asking questions about the rationale for any proposed treatment--and making sure you are comfortable with those recommendations--helps give you a good start for parenthood. Here are some logical questions to ask your healthcare provider: • Why is this treatment needed? • What alternatives could be used? • What are the risks in my case? • What would be the risk of delaying (or refusing) the treatment?
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