pitocin after c-section?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Specializes in cardiac.

Just a general OB question. When I had my last c-section, I assumed that I would be recieving Pitocin to help the uterus contract back to normal size. My nurses stated that they routinely do not :rolleyes: do that anymore. Am I correct? I was on medication for pain at the time. And never remembered to ask why. I swore I was given Pitocin with my last c-section 8 years ago. I'm just curious.

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Specializes in emergency.

They still do at DMC Detroit. Just came from a section. cheers!

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Specializes in cardiac.
They still do at DMC Detroit. Just came from a section. cheers!

Hey...thanks for the response. I had no complications because I didn't recieve it. Does anyone have any ideas why they sould stop using it?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

We definately do it where I practice. Did in all 3 places I have worked. And I received a LOT of pit after my c/sect with my daughter----way too much, if you ask me. The risks of pp bleeding do not evaporate with a c/sect, so most places, they DO give 20-30 units of pitocin in at least the 1st liter of fluids after delivery. Just my experiences.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

We still do give it routinely as well, either 20 or 30 units depending on the doc...

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Specializes in many.

Our standard is 20 units pitocin added to a liter of NS by anaesthesia intra-op and if the case runs long the CRNA may add more to the liter or hang a second liter with another 20 of pitocin.

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Specializes in cardiac.
We definately do it where I practice. Did in all 3 places I have worked. And I received a LOT of pit after my c/sect with my daughter----way too much, if you ask me. The risks of pp bleeding do not evaporate with a c/sect, so most places, they DO give 20-30 units of pitocin in at least the 1st liter of fluids after delivery. Just my experiences.

I agree. I have no experience in OB except for clinicals during nursing school. but, I remember being taught about Pitocin after a c-section delivery and the risk of bleeding related to the uterus not contracting post partum as it would with a normal vag delivery. And I remember the Pitocin being added to my IV fluids after my son's birth via c-section 8 years ago. The cramping was pretty tough! Maybe I was under the influence with the pain meds and misunderstood what the nurse was telling me.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

Routine where I work also. Usually anesthesia will put 10 or 20 units in whatever is left in the LR. We add 20 units to the next liter post-op as well.

The only problem I ever had with a patient, pitocin and a c/section was this: She'd been on 40 Units (induction) for nearly 4 hours prior to the section. When they said we were going to section, well, to say I was not surprised is to understate it. And I was fearing a huge uterine atony post-op. That didn't happen, luckily. But she had such horrible uterine spasms for hours afterward that even with her epidural and duramorph, I had a hard time getting her pain under control. She was miserable enough she called her family and told them to stay at home until the next day. (I gave her "permission" to do that.) She thanked me the next day.

I can't imagine not giving some pit after a section.

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Specializes in cardiac.

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to answer my question. Seems to me that Pitocin after a c-section is still routine from all the posts that I have read. I was probably in LA LA Land after the section and didn't understand what was being told to me. But, if anyone has heard any different, please let me know.

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