Cytotec: Safe or Deadly?
A medically induced labor becomes necessary for many reasons. Some pregnancies develop complications such as hypertension, preeclampsia, heart disease, gestational diabetes, or bleeding during pregnancy (1).Many pregnancies go beyond forty two weeks and “there is evidence that some babies are at risk after this stage due to a gradual decrease in the supply of nutrients from the placenta” (1). In order to begin labor that has not started naturally, “a mechanical or chemical stimulus is needed” (1). Artificial rupture of the membrane (mechanical) is “when the bag of water (amniotic sac) breaks or ruptures, production of the hormone prostaglandin increases, speeding up contractions”(1). Medications (chemical) can be administered to the patient in order to “produce a synthetic form of the hormone that your body naturally produces during spontaneous labor” (2). The most common medications used are pitocin and syntocinon which are “a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin”. Cytotec is another drug used to start labor. However, Cytotec has many risks and adverse effects when used for this purpose.
Administering Cytotec to obstetrics patients is considered off label use. “In the United States, the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permit physicians to prescribe approved medications for other than their intended indications. This practice is known as off label use”(3). This practice is a loophole in the FDA law that says “once a medicine is tested and approved for a specific use it can be prescribed and used for any other use a physician would choose without needing to be tested for that treatment”( ). Cytotec was developed “to prevent stomach ulcers in patients taking anti-inflammatory drug...
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...This is my life now, this is who I am; a broken spirit, with a broken body, all because of one error of judgment.
The Tatia M. Oden French is a consumer group organizing a petition against the FDA because of adverse effects with the use of the drug Cytotec. To date, there are a total of 2,796 signatures petitioning the FDA to take into consideration the events that affect women and their families when using Cytotec. 2,796 people have been affected by its use. Woman have died, infants have died, men have lost a wife and and/or child. All have changed in some way by a tiny little pill. Whether any of these events or objections from Searle will change the support of ACOG or FDA laws is unknown. Cytotec is still being administered to woman who have faith and confidence that their life, and sometimes their unborn child’s life, is in the best hands of their doctor.
When pregnant, many expecting mothers are faced with a very tough decision, the decision to have an epidural during labor or to have a natural birth. Both methods have negative and positive aspects. This topic has such conflicting views that about 50% of women decide to get an epidural when going into labor and the other 50% of women choose the alternative: natural childbirth. It is important for an expecting mother to look into both options thoroughly to ensure they make the best choice for both themselves and for their child. With all of the speculations circulating about both options, it is hard for mothers to see the truth about both epidurals and natural childbirth.
In doing this project the literature drawn from is largely non-scholarly for the reason that I am prevailing upon the reader to think outside the box about birth. Most of the “scholarly” research that is available was written by doctors or nurses/nurse midwives who were trained in the medical model of birth. Since part of my premise is that the high rate of Cesarean sections is caused in part by viewing birth as a medical and therefore pathological event, and in part for its emergence as a capitalistic industry, it was then necessary to find literature written by people who have expertise in birthing though not from the traditional obstetrical/medical school approach.
The fact that the only physician to support contraceptives was a woman speaks volumes about the disconnect between the male and female perspective on the issue. It begs the question: Can a man objectively weigh in on this issue? Since inarguably both the physical sacrifice and emotional burden of carrying to term and caring for an unwanted child lay solely on the
This pill “eliminates the external causes of death” by protecting the user from all known forms of sexually transmitted diseases, providing an unlimited libido, and extending youth and by serving as a “sure-fire one-time-does-it-all-birth-control pill” for men and woman (294). In sum, it “was designed to take a set of givens, namely the nature of human nature, and steer these givens in a more beneficial direction” (293). The pill would take everything about a human’s nature and change it in a way to benefit society and create a beneficial society or a utopia
"I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!"(62)
Paradox Of The Pill. (Cover Story)." Time 175.17 (2010): 40-47. Military & Government Collection. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
Trussell, J., Stewart, F., Potts, M., Guest, F., & Ellertson, C. (1993). Should Oral Contraceptives
In brief, Diethylstilbestrol was a huge turning point for most pregnant women in the early twentieth century; however, it had many underlying negative effects including cancer, and reproductive system deformations. Diethylstilbestrol was used to prevent miscarriages and it was found inefficient. The women who took Diethylstilbestrol put themselves and their kids at risk. Diethylstilbestrol was made with good intentions but the creator did not know the harmful effects it would have on its patients. There are many people still living with the side effects of Diethylstilbestrol, many of which are incurable. This exemplifies how someone can have a good idea to make someone’s life better, but in the end it can lead to a devastating aftermath.
There was a feud between feminists who wanted flibanserin regardless of the side effects, and FDA who believed the approval for safety of flibanserin was an elongated process. This paper will explain the six reasons why flibanserin had been mistakenly approved by FDA.
In America, 1 out of 8 children are born premature. The earlier a child is born from their suggested due date, the poor severe the condition the child can receive. With health conditions of the mother, that may be a main reason why a child may become premature. Women with uterine, cervical abnormalities, or having twins, triplets, etc. may cause a risk of preterm labor. A women’s health is a main factor of how their child may come out. Smoking, drinking, use of illegal drugs may cause women to have preterm labor as well. To...
From the time birth control was first introduced in the late 20th century, many different responses have stemmed from the public. Most popularly known for its names such as ‘Plan B’ or simply just ‘birth control pills’, these and multiple other options provided in today’s society. This medicine is most used to regulate women’s reproduction, and also, to help with various women’s health problems. Controversy, however, looms over this topic as this medicine can also prevent pregnancy if used within a time boundary after intercourse. Many people believe that life does begin at conception, and using such methods to prevent a pregnancy may be considered to be murder. Although, many potential problems can stem from an unplanned pregnancy. Many women may not be mentally or even physically ready to become a mother at that certain time. Even though birth control may have moral downfalls in some
In the year of 1962, Kefauver-Harris drug Amendment Act was established. The act stated, all drugs has to undergo strict surveillance during clinical trials and also after drug is marketed out. The clinical trial has to provide data that proves that the drug is both safe and effective before being marketed out. This act was established after Thalidomide Tragedy that took place in 1960’s. In 1960, Thalidomide became very popular drug for sleeping just like when aspirin was first discovered. Thalidomide was marketed out to 46 countries and was sold as over-the-counter drug. During that time, the drug was said to be safe for pregnant women. An Australian Obstetrician, name Dr. William McBride starting observing elevated levels of morning sickness in pregnant women caused by the drug Thalidomide. Then, when delivering many babies with severe child defect he then realized that t...
and the life he knew was now gone . All he could do now was cry , the only way he knew
The question must be asked: "How is this contraception?" Women are being falsely led to believe that these pills are contraceptive in nature. But one of their common and intended modes of action is to prevent the development of the embryo, resulting in his or her death.
Over the years birthing methods have changed a great deal. When technology wasn’t so advanced there was only one method of giving birth, vaginally non-medicated. However, in today’s society there are now more than one method of giving birth. In fact, there are three methods: Non-medicated vaginal delivery, medicated vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery, also known as c-section. In the cesarean delivery there is not much to prepare for before the operation, except maybe the procedure of the operation. A few things that will be discussed are: the process of cesarean delivery, reasons for this birthing method and a few reasons for why this birthing method is used. Also a question that many women have is whether or not they can vaginally deliver after a cesarean delivery, as well as the risks and benefits if it. Delivering a child by a c-section also has a few advantages and disadvantages for both the mother and child; this will also be discussed in more depth a bit later.