08/03/2025
Did you know that the FDA has only approved the use of Pitocin (aka synthetic oxytocin) in medical emergency situations, yet it is used for 3 out of every 4 births in America?
Did you know that in nearly every single case of malpractice suits involving damage to the baby and bad birth outcomes, Pitocin is cited as the culprit?
Get the product/package insert here:
https://justtheinserts.com/pitocin/
And here:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/018261s028lbl.pdf
LOOK IT OVER - NOTICE CONTRAINDICATIONS - THE RISKS INCLUDING DEATH ☠️
How many women in the maternal mortality statistics were administered pit???? 🤬
The manufacturer-listed adverse reactions in the package insert includes such things as:
"Maternal deaths due to hypertensive episodes, subarachnoid hemorrhage, rupture of the uterus, fetal deaths and permanent CNS or brain damage of the infant due to various causes have been reported to be associated with the use of parenteral oxytocic drugs for induction of labor or for augmentation in the first and second stages of labor."
"Anaphylactic reaction, Postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), Cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), Fatal afitbrinogenemia (difficulty blood clotting), Nausea/Vomiting, Premature ventricular contractions, Pelvic
hematoma, Subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain b|eeding), Hypertensive episodes, Rupture of the uterus, Severe water intoxication with
convulsions, Coma, Maternal death, Bradycardia, Permanent CNS or brain damage, Fetal death, Neonatal seizures, LOW Apgar scores alt minutes, Neonatal jaundice, Neonatal retinal hemorrhage."
Risks and complications associated with Pitocin:
• Uterine Hyperstimulation: Overly frequent or intense contractions can reduce oxygen flow to the baby, potentially leading to fetal distress and related complications like brain damage or cerebral palsy.
• Uterine Rupture: Though rare, strong contractions can cause the uterus to tear, especially in women with prior C-sections.
• Fetal Distress: Pitocin use can be associated with signs that the baby isn't tolerating labor well, as indicated by changes in heart rate, potentially caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen.
• Increased Risk of C-section: Complications arising from Pitocin use may necessitate an emergency C-section.
• Postpartum Hemorrhage: Prolonged exposure to Pitocin can increase the risk of excessive bleeding after birth.
Doctors know Pitocin is risky, which is why they implement more fetal monitoring measures after administering Pitocin.
In 1998, multiple Massachussets medical schools' Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology conducted a large study to find out how to better increase chances of formulating successful defenses in medical malpractice lawsuits. They discovered that a case involving the use of Pitocin decreased the chances of a successful defense. In their words:
"Multivariable analysis identifies that the use of pitocin, diagnosis of asphyxia, a delay in delivery, and the use of multiple defense expert witnesses decreased the chances of a successful defense."
Why? Because there is clear and easily-presented evidence that Pitocin is dangerous!
(And isn't it comforting that medical schools are using research money to develop better court defense strategies instead of using that money to discover how they could reduce obstetrical deaths and injuries?!)
Here is more information:
https://step2education.com/blog/197-oxytocin-vs-pitocin
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/
Doulas absolutely need to be addressing the risks of pitocin, the alternatives to pitocin, and you absolutely need to be teaching the cascade of interventions in your CBE classes!
