Medications used to
induce or
augment the labour such as intravenous oxytocin or prostaglandins can hyper stimulate the uterus (causing it to contract too much) leading to an increased risk of uterine rupture. There are some caregivers who recommend that it is wise to avoid using any such drugs to artificially stimulate the labour when planning a VBAC.
Induction and augmentation can also increase the incidence, of fetal distress and the use of medical pain relief, which in themselves can increase the incidence of needing a repeated Caesarean. Not ideal if you are trying to avoid one.
Alternatively, there are some caregivers (and women) who say that a vaginal birth would not have been possible, if not for the use of oxytocin or prostaglandins. They believe that if it is used with caution, in small amounts the practice is acceptable.
While as a consumer it is difficult to know 'what is acceptable' it can help to have some ideas of ways to minimise the use of these drugs. There can be a fine line between what is regarded as 'cautious use', 'overuse', or 'unnecessary use' of such drugs. As a guide you may wish to consider the following:
Going overdue and induction. If you do not go into labour by your nominated due date, consider delaying any induction until at least 10 to 14 days after the date. This gives you a better chance of getting into labour on your own or making any induction attempt more likely to succeed, and more likely to need less of these drugs to get into labour.
Seriously consider using mechanical methods of induction such as a
Foley's catheter, then breaking the waters once you become dilated. Look at utilising
natural induction methods once you start going overdue, to increase your chances of going into labour on your own, without the use of medications.
If the decision is made to use contraction-stimulating drugs, consider trying smaller doses of
prostaglandins and avoid
augmenting the labour with
oxytocin