Question about pitocin after delivery

[MommyLauraRN]

I was taught to run the pitocin (20units/1000ccLR) after the placenta delivers with the theory being that you don't want it to run in before the placenta delivers because you don't want the cervix to clamp down and make the placenta unable to pass through it...we have one MFM attending who has us do it before the placenta delivers...she said the latest research shows that it doesn't effect the placenta's ability to deliver. She is the only one I've delivered with that doesn't want me wait for the placenta to run the pit. What is standard practice for your hospital? Not every patient at our hospital gets pitocin after delivery (people without IVs who have bleeding WNL, some CNM patients etc.) but most do.

[mitchsmom]

I have a related question... does giving the pit give the woman more cramps than she would have had without? Does it make breastfeeding cramps worse than in the women without the extra pit at the end? Just curious.

I don't remember if I got it w/ my first two babies (probably, I had epidurals), with the last one I had the pit after delivery but it infiltrated and the nurse just said "oh you're doing fine" and let it go.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Yes it can make cramps worse. Anything that causes the uterus to contract will.....to include breastfeeding. I often will stop or drastically slow the pit if a woman begins breastfeeding early and is not bleeding actively. And I will provide her lots of heat packs and Motrin.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Yes it can make cramps worse. Anything that causes the uterus to contract will.....to include breastfeeding. I often will stop or drastically slow the pit if a woman begins breastfeeding early and is not bleeding actively. And I will provide her lots of heat packs and Motrin.

[Mermaid4]

Most of our patients get pit but not all if there are no problems and no iv access..Depends upon individual factors. You can also give up to 100 units of pit in 100cc lr if you have to though I haven't had to do that....You don't have to regulate the iv if you are giving pit quickly, you watch it and run it in...Whether or not you use the pit, always have it ready just in case.

[Mermaid4]

Most of our patients get pit but not all if there are no problems and no iv access..Depends upon individual factors. You can also give up to 100 units of pit in 100cc lr if you have to though I haven't had to do that....You don't have to regulate the iv if you are giving pit quickly, you watch it and run it in...Whether or not you use the pit, always have it ready just in case.