Bicitra in labor?

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Is anyone giving bicitra to all laboring patients when they get an epidural? I have never heard of this practice, which is apparently our protocol. These are not patients heading for section, just those getting an epidural for labor pain relief. Thanks!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Nope, not in my neck of the woods.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Nope, not here either. Only part of the cocktail of meds given before a C/S.

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We had on anesthesiologist give bicitra and reglan to anyone getting an epidural - and if they refused the bicitra he refused the epidural. They all get it for c-sections though. Had one woman on mgso4 ready for epidural and MDA was standing next to bed when I gave her bicitra - she had been clear liquids only for a couple of days - she puked bile all over him :p That one did get her epidural :):

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Thanks for the input! I had never heard of this before and wanted a sanity check before I start questioning it.

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Not here either.:confused:

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Specializes in L&D.
We had on anesthesiologist give bicitra and reglan to anyone getting an epidural - and if they refused the bicitra he refused the epidural. They all get it for c-sections though. Had one woman on mgso4 ready for epidural and MDA was standing next to bed when I gave her bicitra - she had been clear liquids only for a couple of days - she puked bile all over him :p That one did get her epidural :):

LOVE IT!!!!:lol2:

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is anyone giving bicitra to all laboring patients when they get an epidural? i have never heard of this practice, which is apparently our protocol. these are not patients heading for section, just those getting an epidural for labor pain relief. thanks!

no, and that is truly despicable; even ridiculous. have you ever tasted it? :no: it is disgustingly salty, which is no wonder, as the usual 30ml dose has 3 grams of sodium citrate in it! no wonder my patients in the us would gag and cringe, even vomit. i'm not sure, but bicitra could possibly be given here in the uk for elective sections, but they are done in theatre and not on my delivery suite. we do not give it even for emergency c/s's, though. i hope you let your patients know that they can refuse such treatment, as i'm fairly positive there is no research that supports giving bicitra to women having epidurals! good for you for questioning this, and i suggest you ask the department for the data that supports such use. we must advocate for pregnant women in our care. good luck! :bby:

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Thanks for all the input! I am putting questioning this with a vengeance on my to-do list for next week:)

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Specializes in ER/MIU/L&D.

Yep, we give this before an epidural. We also give IV pepcid & reglan, the same exact meds we give for all of the c/sections also. Seems like overkill for an epidural to me.

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