When I told my doctor I preferred to not have an IV in either during labor, she made a face… she said it’s pretty routine to give fluids for dehydration (ok, I’m fine with that, if I need it), but she added that it makes it easy to administer the pitocin later. I HATE when they do things just for the fact that it makes it easier for them. And so what if no one in her last 5,000 births refused pitocin after labor? I’m not them. (i’m cranky right now, lol)

It can be used to induce labor if needed (and there are medical reasons this is needed sometimes), but it is also used to augment labor–assist, speed it up. If you’re not progressing fast enough (like very little dilation 12 hours after water has broken or something like that) they’ll give it to increase contractions.

I’ve heard that it makes contractions more painful (stronger) and results in epidural use more often.

It’s given AFTER birth to cause the uterus to contract back down to normal size, which aids in the delivery of the placenta. This is helpful if you’re bleeding too much, but again–it has become routine and is given to everyone regardless (at least at my hospital).… I’d just rather NOT have drugs if I don’t need them. I’m all for it if I need it, if there’s a medical issue, but otherwise, leave it out of me!

You can refuse it, and just have your baby nurse right after it is born. It has the same affect, if not better, than pitocin. If you are bleeding heavily, they can give you a quick shot in the thigh of pitocin instead of the entire IV bag of it.

They also give it after birth to deliver the placenta really fast, even though the placenta will come on its own. I think it was about 10 mins after birth at the homebirth, but we had also given her stuff to stop the bleeding so that might have helped it come faster. But, it will come in its own due time, with or without pitocin.

And dilation truly means nothing. You can go from 0 to 10 in 15 minutes. Or you can be at an 8 for 9 hours. Everyone is different, and your body is preparing for labor. The braxton hicks can also be getting the baby into position. Every contraction does something!

Congrats on getting to this point! I’m so excited for you!!!

It could be that you’re still a fingertip– my first check she almost said i was 0 but shifted to the side just enough to notice that much. It could just be a matter of her missing it– not hard when you aren’t very far– between my nurses & MW at the hospital they were always differing about 1cm anyway.

Maybe the contractions are helping with the effacement? Did they tell you how effaced you are?

And I so agree on the dialation! I was always so impatient when it came to my cervix and how it wanted to dialate. Both my boys were early, 37 & 38 weeks so when my last baby decided to go 2 days before her due date, I thought I’d claw eyeballs with the desire of getting that beautiful girl out of me. Just realize you wont go any longer than 2 weeks over your due date, yet, I’ve never actually known a doctor to go even a few days over. You’re beautiful baby will be here in no later than 3 weeks, and I’m sure thats a doc. promise.

Congrats and I look forward to hearing about your amazing birth!