The drug Cytotec has been controversial in it's off-label use to induce labor. The drug is extremely cheap and many hospitals push its use over more expensive drugs like Cervidil. (In YOUR BEST BIRTH we discuss pros and cons of Cytotec.) At our NYC book launch party, Ina May Gaskin introduced us to the Young family of NJ, who tragically lost their healthy 26-yr-old daughter Pam two years ago when a routine Cytotec induction caused her to bleed uncontrollably after delivering a baby boy. Please read the following letter from the Young family and consider adding your name to the following 2 petitions. http://www.petitiononline.com/cytotec/ http://www.tatia.org/ This July marked the 2 year anniversary of the passing of our daughter, Pam. It has been an extremely hard and emotional time for our family and we want to thank you all for the support and concern that you have provided Lloyd and I with. What we learned in the months after Pam passed away was that she was administered a drug for labor inducement on an “off label” basis that caused the adverse effect that resulted in her death. Cytotec {misoprostol} was manufactured to treat ulcers. It is NOT approved by the FDA or the drug company to induce labor……..such use is termed “off label”. It is administered nationwide and its usage has increased. A lawsuit for malpractice was in the process of being filed and an unfortunate set of circumstances involving the expert medical witness caused the statute of limitations to expire. What Lloyd and I want to do is to build awareness so that you or someone you love will not permit a doctor to administer the drug and hopefully have the FDA reinstate the “black box” warning on the original label and eventually ban its’ use as a labor inducing agent. We have attached below a link to a petition that was started by others who have had the same awful experience as we have. {in some cases worse because the baby was affected as well} Also included is a link to an organization that is proactively providing information to “help save the lives of those giving life to others”. We who love Pam are dedicated to this end. We do not want more sympathy. We would just like you to educate your loved ones and friends about Cytotec and please consider signing the petition. By doing so, you can join our fight to help prevent another family from enduring such a tragic loss. Thank you for your consideration, Nancy and Lloyd Young {We request that our last name not be used in the petition comments} http://www.petitiononline.com/cytotec/ http://www.tatia.org/
The use of Cytotec is shockingly widespread. The manufacturer actually came out with a statement that it should never be used in pregnant women or to induce labor. And yet nearly every single OB in the US is using it. I sat in on a childbirth education class at the hospital that would be my backup if I needed to transfer from my homebirth. Pitocin and Cervadil were the only medications mentioned (and the nurse teaching the class refused to tell me their augmentation rates, so I'm guessing it's nearly universal). Cytotec was not covered it all, but when I asked privately, she said it's commonly used. I'm willing to bet it's slipped in during dilation exams without mentioning it more often than they'd admit. Informed consent does not exist.
