Hey... I have a question and I'm posting it here since Brigid and Maggiesugar might know something about it. I am having an IUD put in on April 7th. My midwife wants me to go in when I have my period so my cervix is more open, but she also gave me one tablet of cytotec to take that morning. I have been reading about it and am a bit worried... it seems when taken to induce labor it can cause an uterus rupture or something of the sort. I'm obviously not pregnant or trying to induce labor, but just get an IUD put in. Do I need to be concerned about anything taking it for that purpose? Should I just skip the tablet altogether? I don't want something horrible to happen to me or my uterus, it's already confused enough about the IUD!
FDA and the drug's manufacturer have issued warnings against off-label use of cytotec. It is an ulcer medication. there are other, safer ways to dilate your cervix. I'd refuse it, just because. When I had an IUD (granted, it was about two decades ago), they used these glass sticks to dilate my cervix.
Thanks! I have been researching some more and I'm still a bit unsure. I mean, it isn't meant to be used for this, it seems it lowers the risk of expulsion in women who have not had children, though I am not certain as to why. Perhaps it is due to better placement? I am sure she would still be dilating me with a sound (I think that's what it's called?) as well. I'm just not sure about all it's side effects. It would help if it was actually used for this purpose so it's side effects were better known. I guess the uterine rupture is only in pregnancy though, since otherwise it would seem it would happen even using it to treat ulcers, correct?
Are you to take it orally or vaginally? Either way, it's unnecessary. It does help soften the cervix and make it easier to dilate, and the effects go away shortly after use. There is very little risk to the non-pregnant uterus.
She didn't specify whether to take it orally or vaginally, she just said to take it with 600 mg of Ibuprofen.. if I do take the cytotec which would be better? Also, I live about an hour away from the midwife, so should I take it on the way or once I get there, or just earlier that morning.. it seems the effects are short lived and I doubt she knew how far away I live. Obviously I could ask her all this in person I just thought I'd throw it out there to see what advice anyone else had.
I agree with Brighid. Cytotec is actually got an X rating for use during pregnancy (meaning it should never be used during pregnancy) and is not FDA approved for pregnancy. The risk, however, to rupture to a nonpregnant uterus is nil. But, please, talk to the midwife, and see how she wants you to take it.
I also agree, I would not be concerned about uterine rupture from Cytotec. Even during pregnancy the risk of uterine rupture is (relatively) low, however it will likely induce labor. If the midwife did not specify using the tablet vaginally, I'd feel pretty confident she wants you to take it orally. Does a midwife actually have prescriptive authority?
A quick Google and it appears that a certified nurse midwife is a specialized nurse practitioner. Is this always the case? In Virginia, the Board of Pharmacy will allow prescriptions to be filled when authorized by a physician, a physican-assistant, a nurse practitioner, a dentist, an optometrist, or a veterinarian. ___ Hi Maggie! Good to see you. Good to be back.
A quick Google and it appears that a certified nurse midwife is a specialized nurse practitioner. Is this always the case? In Virginia, the Board of Pharmacy will allow prescriptions to be filled when authorized by a physician, a physican-assistant, a nurse practitioner, a dentist, an optometrist, or a veterinarian. ___ Hi Maggie! Good to see you. Good to be back.
It's always the case with nurse-midwives. They are RN's who specialize in midwifery. I however plan to be a CPM, who can not legally write prescriptions, but still can be an excellant midwife.
