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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Advice needed on Syntometrine injection and refusing it, pleeeeeeeeease!

139 replies

EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 00:11

Hi
I had the injection after giving birth to ds, it made me very sick and i then had to have further medication to stop the sickness. Unfortunately the anti-sickness medication makes my Narcolepsy (sleep disorder) worse and following it I slept for over 12 hours, meaning ds didn't feed for almost 18 hours after birth. This wasn't too much of a problem, he took to bf absolutely fine and we had no bonding issues.
I am due on Monday and now very worried that the injection could cause the same sickness again. I really do not want to have another child and not remember much of the first day of their life.
As I know it didn't cause huge problems with ds, if i need to i'll have the injection, but if i can avoid it I would like to.
If I refuse the injection, how dangerous is this? What else can I do to lessen the chances of a heavy bleed (my mw tells me this is why i should have it so want to go armed with alternatives)?

HELP!

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 00:13

anyone awake who knows about these things?

OP posts:
chocolateface · 06/04/2007 00:21

Refused it with DD, - homebirth- ( had it with 1st 2, just didn't want it after having to force placenta out with DS2 after having injection). Just get it written on you green notes, and tell midwife at the time.
I had no problems with bleeding, and neither did my sister who didn't have it.

mears · 06/04/2007 00:23

Our unit has changed to giving syntocinon 10iu instead of syntometrine. It does not make you sick.

If you labour naturally (without drugs or being induced) you should be able to have a physiological third stage which means the placenta delivers on it's own. It is better if the baby breastfeeds which is natures way of causing contractions.

There are a few threads on it if you want to do a search or google it.

You cannot be given any injections that you do not consent to BTW.

chocolateface · 06/04/2007 00:24

My midwife had asked me if I wanted it with DS2. I had said yes - If it hadn't actually been written on my green notes, which the delivering midwife didn't have, I would have kicked up a real stink. I can't see there being a problem with you not having it. If you say you don't want it and they give it to you, I think that's assault.

Flamesparrow · 06/04/2007 00:29

I didn;t have it - planned ot refuse but then placenta fell out before I had a chance.

Flamesparrow · 06/04/2007 00:30

the didn't have was with DS - did with DD and was ill. dunno if it was injectionm or placenta.

sxorry much wine, rpoabbyl best to ignore me!!

Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 00:30

i'm likely to have an epidural (no other pain relief was 'permitted' last time due to Narcolepsy), does that make a difference?

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 00:31

flamey

do you think wine would be a good alternative?

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 06/04/2007 00:33

They frown upon wine & childbirht so I'm told (i did mentioin it but got a face very similar to )

mears · 06/04/2007 00:33

Yes epidural can make a difference. It is an intervention. Ask to be given syntocinon instead if you have an epidural. As you have laboured before though you may find you don't need pain relief. What about using a birthing pool?

Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 00:40

they wouuldn't let me use the pool last time, i'm hoping to be able to argue my case better this time.

they refused me pethadine because it might make me extra drowsy, then gave me anti-nausea drugs that sent me to sleep

i delivered a 9lb 3oz baby (i'm size 10 and 5'4) with no idea he would be that big, no ventouse or forceps, and only 4 stitches.

hopefully they will see that they don't need to fuss quite so much this time and let me get on with it.

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 00:42

i'd love to avoid the epidural if i can, this may well be my last child and i'd like to have the full experience of childbirth.

but as i didn't get past 2 cms without it last time i have to be realistic about my pain threashold

OP posts:
maximummummy · 06/04/2007 01:02

with my second child i was determined not to have pethadine as i really hated it with dd so i just had tens & gas&air with ds. . . so you may well not need pain relief second time round 'specially with such big first baby. . . .good luck

lulumama · 06/04/2007 09:32

ellie-- if you have a non medicated birth, you are fine to have a physiological 3rd stage......this time around you know you can handle it, you know that you are birthing your baby and the pain is a positive one

my advice would be- stay at home wallowing in the bath, being mobile, using massage and just listening to your body , to cope with the early stages.....

then by the time you get to hospital, you should be in good strong established labour and will probably find you can manage without an epidural...

maybe put something in your birth plan about this aspect of the birth as sleeping for 12 hours after birth is not ideal, and if you can avoid, it is worth doing !

Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 10:47

that would we wonderful lulu but as i'm on my own i don't think it'll be quite so easy to have that 'perfect' first stage to labour!

OP posts:
Klaw · 06/04/2007 11:47

You might be interested to read through this - Leaving Well Alone: A Natural Approach to the Third Stage of Labour .

Never allow Controlled Cord traction if no Synto has been given, mw must remember which approach they are folllowing. If no intervention has occurred in labour then it is fine to go for physiological 3rd stage but if there has been use of inductions drugs then you must have a Managed 3rd stage.

Klaw · 06/04/2007 11:53

OMG just re read your last post? What do you mean you're on your own Ellie, won't you have anyone with you when you labour? No birth partner? Where are you? Can we find someone to be with you?

lou33 · 06/04/2007 11:55

i just said i didnt want it

had no problems

lulumama · 06/04/2007 12:01

what Klaw said!!! i know i am not near you. otherwise would be there in a shot!

Pannacotta · 06/04/2007 13:26

If you are going to be alone, could you get a doula booked?

Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 14:11

i'd love to have a doula but when i looked into it the cost was way out of my reach.

i have a friend from work who will come with me, but as she has no children and has never done this before (until last week she thought we'd be on a big ward giving birth ), as lovely as she is i can't see it being all that easy to have that 'natural' first stage. I'm hoping baby comes in the next week cos she's back at work after that so would only really be able to come once i need to go to hospital.

OP posts:
lulumama · 06/04/2007 14:13

honey, a trainee doula cost a max of £150, also some more established doulas offer a sliding scale, do you not have a DH / DP? sorry if i am being nosy..

Pannacotta · 06/04/2007 14:18

If there is any way you can get a doula I am sure it would be a real help. Friends who have had doulas with them (even with a DH/DP there as well) have said it was a huge support to them, since doulas are used to childbirth and can help and reassure you when you need it.

Original poster
EllieKthePA · 06/04/2007 14:20

like i said, i'd love to have a doula, but with an ex.p who has been sacked twice since january, and last month the phone was cut off because he'd said he would continue paying it and hadn't, i can't see him giving me money for a doula, he'd say he could help but i don't want him anywhere near me (the latest sacking was cos he took day off to spend with gf).

£150 is more than a week's wages for me.

OP posts:
lulumama · 06/04/2007 14:21

i see you are a single mum! you might be eligible for the hardship fund through Doula Uk, it is probably worth getting in touch with a doula near you and talking to them...

doual uk, doulas near you!

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