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VBAC & Cytotec:
A Dangerous & Deadly Combination
by Jaime
Warren
In some cases, uterine
rupture does not occur immediately. Women continue to labor
normally, until they experience one of the common symptoms of
uterine rupture, including a “popping” sound, severe abdominal pain,
or bleeding. Once the rupture occurs, the chances of the fetus
surviving are slim...
Misoprostol (Cytotec), a
drug originally created by G.D. Searle & Co. to treat ulcers, has
become an increasingly popular, and extremely dangerous method of
induction. In the beginning this drug was used with a combination of
other chemical treatments as an abortive measure. Since 1992 it has
been taken to the opposite side of the spectrum, to the delivery
rooms. At this time Cytotec has not been approved by the FDA as an
induction drug, but yet it’s use as one has become alarmingly
widespread. Physicians, finding it a much cheaper and quicker way to
induce labor in full term pregnancies, administer the drug on a
frequent basis. Since it’s use as method of labor induction, stories
of the risks and deaths associated with this drug have become
rampant and frightening.
Cytotec, a pill which can be administered orally, or inserted
vaginally and placed against the cervix, is usually given in quarter
doses. The pill works to soften the cervix, just as other cervix
softening agents such as Prepidil and Cervidil do. The dangers of
this drug, including uterine rupture, pose a possible threat to all
women when used as a method of induction. However, for woman
attempting a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean), the risk of
uterine rupture increases dramatically. One particular study of
Cytotec used on VBAC candidates found that eight percent experienced
uterine rupture in comparison to the 0.2 percent of other cases
where Cytotec was not used.
While it is unknown why Cytotec has such adverse affects on women
with prior uterine scarring, perhaps what is even more baffling is
why this drug is still being used. From the financial standpoint,
doctors find this drug much cheaper than other labor induction
methods such as Pitocin which can run hundreds of dollars after the
use of an IV for constant administering, continuos Fetal Monitoring,
and if the cervix isn’t ripe, a cervix softening gel such as
Prepidil or Cervidil. The rapidness in which Cytotec induces labor
and softens as well as dilates the cervix is also an appealing
factor of the drug, promising delivery usually within the time span
of ten to twelve hours after first being administered.
In some cases, uterine rupture does not occur immediately. Women
continue to labor normally, until they experience one of the common
symptoms of uterine rupture, including a “popping” sound, severe
abdominal pain, or bleeding. Once the rupture occurs, the chances of
the fetus surviving are slim, and if survival does occur, the risk
of severe neurological damage is staggering as the fetus loses
precious oxygen. In other cases, violent contractions can occur
after the first dose, and can result in uterine rupture. It is also
important to note that the risk of placental abruption can
drastically increase for women with prior uterine incisions. If
Cytotec is given out of a hospital setting, or when no doctor is
present, the results can be fatal.
Unfortunately, the risks associated with Cytotec are not widely
known, and most women, undergoing an induction with the use of the
drug, are the last to know. Alarmingly enough, the information
surrounding Cytotec, when administered for its’ original use,
clearly states that any woman who is pregnant or thinking of
becoming pregnant should not use it, and should use appropriate
birth control to avoid pregnancy during the regimen as it can cause
miscarriage or abortion. Yet this drug, with it’s deadly side
affects is still used in hundreds of hospitals, by hundreds of
doctors, without regard for it’s dangerous potential.
Article reprinted with permission.
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