Natural Birth With Pitocin: How to Make it Happen
Is it possible to achieve a natural birth on Pitocin? Short answer: ABSOLUTELY! Long answer: see below. While induction might throw a wrench in your birth plans, it does not necessarily rule them out. After experiencing my own natural Pitocin birth, this subject has become near and dear to my heart. Below is a little about the induction process, as well as the evidence-based tricks you can use to “naturalize” the process for yourself.
IS INDUCTION ACTUALLY NECESSARY?
In certain situations such as IUGR, chronic hypertension, or my own unique dilemma, prolonging a pregnancy can become dangerous to Mom or Baby. If this is you, please do not be alarmed by the language of the medical staff. They often jump to the worst case scenario to prepare parents for all possibilities. And while it’s scary to hear things like “c-section” and “life expectancy”, just know that they do this for liability purposes.
P.S. If you need a friend, please do reach out! I know what a terrifying time this can be and I’d love to help in any way possible. Even if that’s just by offering a listening ear ♡
SO WHAT IS PITOCIN ANYWAY?
Pitocin is a synthetic version of oxytocin, the naturally-occurring hormone responsible for labor contractions. We release this “love hormone” when engaging in bonding activities such as cuddling, kissing, breastfeeding, and intercourse. Interestingly, the same hormone released when the baby is made, is now responsible for getting the baby out! It is oxytocin that starts the uterine contractions necessary for delivery. If Mom is unable to get contractions going on her own, she is given the artificial version of the hormone…Pitocin.
HOW ARE PITOCIN CONTRACTIONS DIFFERENT?
Look, I won’t lie to you, Pitocin contractions are rough. While oxytocin surges build slowly over time, Pitocin contractions are very intense right off the bat. They are also closer together, giving Mom less of a breather in between - mine, for example, were 1-2 minutes apart from the start. Oh, and about that rest break between surges? Pitocin does not allow the uterus to fully relax until Baby is out. But that’s not all, the worst part (it gets worse than this??) is that Pitocin is far less effective than oxytocin and can take days to get your body delivery-ready. And, yes, I know it sounds nuts at this point, but it’s still completely possible to have an epidural-free birth under these circumstances. Below are the tools I used during my own induction to achieve a positive natural birth in as little as six hours of active labor.
TIP #1 - RIPEN THAT CERVIX
When you check into the L&D unit, the OB will check your cervix and determine if it needs softening. If so, they will administer a ripening agent called Cytotec before starting the Pitocin. While Cytotec is widely applied in US hospitals, the FDA disapproves of its use in labor. In addition to unpleasant side effects such as nausea and diarrhea, it can also cause birth defects, uterine rupture, and even death of the mother or baby. The unfortunate prevalence of Cytotec is a reminder that common practice is not always evidence-based. All that to say, follow these tips to ripen that cervix on your own!
Position Your Baby - Your best tool for cervical ripening is Baby’s head. Every midwife worth her salt will tell you to walk, squat, lunge, or even just stand to get labor started. When upright, your baby’s skull presses against the cervix, helping it to thin and efface.
Eat Dates - In addition to softening the cervix, these magical little fruits can start contractions and shorten labor time. It is recommended to consume 70 grams (about 6 dates) every day in the weeks leading up to delivery. If you’re in a crunch, power eating a handful can still help your body produce prostaglandins, a cervix-ripening lipid that can also start labor.
Evening Primrose Oil - Skincare gurus praise EPR for its skin-softening benefits, but we use it here to soften the cervix! Before bed, place one capsule into the vagina as close to the cervix as possible. Grab a panty-liner as the oil might leak overnight. If your induction date is within two weeks, take an oral capsule each morning as well.
Warm Clary Sage Bath - A warm bath can soften the cervix, and clary sage is a labor-starting miracle! The night before my scheduled induction, I took an hour-long bath with about ten drops of the stuff. The next morning, I waltzed into the hospital already two centimeters dilated and 70% effaced!
Sex - Remember prostaglandins from up above? Well semen contains a lot! It is said that three male ejaculations contain the same amount of prostaglandins as a pharmaceutical cervical-ripening agent (“Babe, it’s for science”). For best results, Mom should stay horizontal for about twenty minutes after intercourse to allow the semen maximum contact with her cervix.
Professional Help - Look, I wouldn’t tell you to spend more money unless I really believed in the product. That being said, acupuncturists and Webster-certified chiropractors can work some baby-having magic! Book an appointment, tell them what you need (cervical ripening, flipping a breech, starting labor, etc.), and let them do their thing. Oh, and it feels AMAZING by the way.
Tip #2 - Get Contractions Started Naturally
Try to get contractions started on your own. “Well if I could”, you might be thinking, “I wouldn’t need an induction now, would I?” Ok fair, but hear me out. Even if it’s just Braxton-Hicks and you’re stuck at three centimeters, any bit of work that your body does naturally will boost the ease and manageability of your induction. There’s a huge difference between the week-long Pitocin battle endured by some, and the “hit of Pit” received by others. So I know it’s redundant, but it needs to be said: do whatever you can to get things started before induction day. I’ve got some great suggestions here, or download the Ecco Natural Birth app for extra help.
Tip #3 - Hugs N’ Kisses
Ideally Pitocin would only be used to assist Mom’s natural birthing process. Remember that oxytocin produces uterine contractions, so if you can flood your body with this naturally-occurring hormone, you may not need more than a “hit of Pit”. The more oxytocin (natural) and less Pitocin (synthetic) you have in your system, the easier and more effective your contractions will be. So prior to your induction date, engage in ALL the bonding activities. Hug grandma, kiss babies, and enjoy all the sex that your post-baby self won’t tolerate.
Tip #4 - Clary Sage
I LOVE this oil! And yes, I already have it listed above, but it’s just too good not to repeat. A very interesting study tested the salivary oxytocin levels of term pregnant women with and without exposure to clary sage. One group of participants received a relaxing footbath infused with the oil, while the other enjoyed a regular soapy footbath. The results were astounding. The clary sage ladies all had significantly higher amounts of salivary oxytocin, proving this to be an effective way to increase the hormone needed to start labor naturally.
Whether you’re trying to start labor or avoid the Pitocin battle, these tips can really help you out. Remind yourself that this is possible, no matter what the internet may say. And lastly…let me know how it goes! Did you try any of these tips? I’m dying to hear how you met your little one ♡
SOURCES
"A childbirth educator's commentary on hormonal physiology of childbearing: Evidence and implications for women, babies, and maternity care." Journal of Perinatal Education. 24(3), 154- 159. (Amis. 2015.)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10341564/
Misoprostol (marketed as Cytotec) Information | FDA
