Does the Birth Center Offer Pitocin?
Pitocin is a type of synthetic hormone that mimics the human hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin helps promote uterine contractions during labor.
Pitocin is usually administered to mothers during labor to enhance uterine contractions and augment labor in case of inadequate contractions. Birth centers are focused on promoting natural birth and taking a holistic approach to pregnancy, so they usually do not administer Pitocin.
Do birthing centers have Pitocin?
Most birth centers do not use pitocin as a way to induce labor, however, they may use it postpartum to safely deliver the placenta.
Can you get induced at a birthing center?
We cannot use Pitocin during labor because it requires continuous monitoring to watch for risk factors such as:
- Uterine overstimulation
- Uterine rupture
- Fetal compromise
- Infection
Birth centers are usually not equipped with the tools for such close monitoring because we are focused on natural labor.
If Pitocin is necessary to progress or initiate labor, it’s usually administered in a hospital setting where continuous monitoring is available.
If an induction is needed for any reason, we try other methods such as:
- Encouraging mothers to walk and get some movement. The effect of gravity and pressure on the pelvis may encourage labor to progress.
- Pelvic massage from a partner or doula may help release oxytocin, which will promote uterine contraction.
- If needed, we may perform a cervical membrane sweep. This will detach the membranes and release hormones that will help progress labor.
Other medical or surgical methods of induction are not routinely offered at the birth center.
Pitocin at the Birth Center
We do have Pitocin available at the Birth Center for postpartum use. But it’s not standard practice to give it to everyone.
If someone is having significant bleeding after the placenta is delivered, we can give Pitocin, typically through an injection in the thigh. This is done as part of the hemorrhage control protocol if conservative measures such as uterine massage fail.
For more questions regarding labor induction or pitocin, we recommend asking your midwife during your appointment!