When a birth is to be induced, many doctors use a drug that is actually a stomach protector: Cytotec. Many expectant parents are unaware that its use can lead to serious side effects, including the death of the child. Almost all German clinics use Cytotec in obstetrics and either conceal or trivialise the side effects. The fact that there have already been deaths worldwide has now been publicised.
In Germany, a birth is usually induced if the due date has been exceeded or there is premature rupture of the membranes. Diabetes in the mother can also be a reason for induction of labour. A drug must be administered to induce labour. The gastroprotective agent Cytotec, which was developed in the 1980s, is one of the most commonly used "oxytocics". It stimulates the uterus and thus promotes labour. In a survey, the University of Lübeck found that every second German clinic uses Cytotec in obstetric medicine.
Inducing labour with medication is intended to prepare the uterus for birth and trigger contractions. This is actually done by the mother's body and the baby's body alone. Both prepare themselves hormonally and physically for the birth to come. When both are ready for labour, the birth begins. The use of medication ensures that the birth begins earlier. The uterus matures at a rapid pace and the births are often extremely quick. This is because Cytotec not only causes the uterus to contract, it also dramatically shortens the intervals between contractions.
However, the breaks are important because the expectant mother can recover during them. The baby also receives the necessary oxygen supply during the breaks in order to withstand the contractions and the pressure through the pelvis.
Contraceptives therefore accelerate the birth. The price for this acceleration is often "labour storms". Contraction follows contraction, there are no breaks, no rest for mum and baby. If the uterus is overloaded, it can rupture. The result is an acutely dangerous situation: the mother suffers a dramatic loss of blood and the baby is deprived of oxygen.
Use of Cytotec despite lack of authorisation
What many expectant parents do not know is that the drug is not approved as a contraceptive. But why are doctors allowed to use Cytotec? In Germany, doctors have "therapeutic freedom", also known as label off-use. This means that a doctor is free to choose the treatment method based on his or her medical expertise. This also includes the administration of drugs that are not authorised for the intended use. However, doctors are obliged to inform their patients that there is no authorisation for the recommended therapy.
Our midwife Katharina Jeschke in an interview with buten un binnen:
"The mothers and children have been put through a spin cycle during labour. They are tired, cry and have difficulty breastfeeding. Quite a few of them show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The mum should be happy, but she is mentally and physically exhausted".
Midwife Katharina takes a clear stance on the use of Cytotec in obstetrics. She experiences the exhausted mothers and the overburdened children in labour.
The Midwifery scientist Dr Christiane Schwarz says: "Everyone is puzzling around a bit", because to date there is no valid amount of data from controlled studies that can prove complication-free use of the drug during induction of labour. The practice is even more curious: the Cytotec tablet is simply cut up and administered to the expectant mother in a glass of water. It is impossible to calculate how much of the tablet's active ingredient ends up in the woman's body and thus in the baby.
Cytotec cheaper than approved tocolytics
Now you are asking yourself whether there is no contraceptive that is approved in Germany. A very common remedy is the so-called "contraceptive drip" which contains the drug oxytocin; vaginal gels are also approved. These remedies are by no means free of side effects, but they have been tested in authorisation studies and assessed as positive in terms of the "risk-benefit ratio". Oxytocin can be dosed very carefully. So why don't doctors simply use a contraceptive that has been approved?
The answer is as simple as it is frightening: Cytotec is extremely cheap. The tablets cost just a few cents, while a contraceptive drip or vaginal gel can cost in the three-figure range. Doctors also argue that Cytotec is easier to use because it can be swallowed. The effect of the tablet is also much stronger, which is why caesarean sections are less frequent when labour is induced with the medication.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also looked into the active ingredient in Cytotec: Misoprostol may only be used in very small doses in obstetrics. The WHO recommendation is a maximum of 25 micrograms. In Germany, this guideline value is usually exceeded fourfold.
Cytotec induced labour can be fatal
Experts from the USA and France expressly warn against the use of the drug during labour, as there is a risk of the uterus rupturing, which can lead to the death of mother and child.
It is difficult to prove how great the risk really is, as there are no scientific studies. Nevertheless, there are women around the world whose babies have died. All mothers have one thing in common: they were given Cytotec to induce labour. Bayerischer Rundfunk and the Süddeutsche Zeitung report on one mother and a total of three babies who died after using the drug. Other children suffered brain damage, in some cases very severe, because they did not receive enough oxygen due to the strong contractions.
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) explicitly warns against the administration of Cytotec. This is because there are numerous indications of serious side effects when Cytotec is used in obstetrics. This is particularly the case if the drug is administered in higher doses than recommended by the WHO, or if the drug is administered differently than recommended by the manufacturer.
Many doctors argue in favour of an emergency caesarean section if the baby's heart rate drops during labour. Peter Husslein is a professor of obstetrics and an absolute opponent of Cytotec: "I have just written a statement on a case as a forensic expert, the woman died after being administered Cytotec, in any case they didn't react quickly enough," he says in the SZ interview.
Induction of labour possible without Cytotec
An induction of labour is often performed if the baby does not want to be born on its own after the 42nd week of pregnancy. There is then a risk that the placenta will function less well, meaning that the baby may be undernourished. No one can say exactly how long the baby will be adequately nourished, which is why mothers are often advised to induce labour with medication to be on the safe side.
Nevertheless, Professor Husslein advises expectant parents to ask critical questions if the doctor gives the advice "We have to induce labour".
The first question should always be whether the induction of labour is necessary at all.
If you as a mother are sure that the baby in your womb is doing well because it is moving well, this can be an important argument in your decision for or against induction of labour.
Think about alternative contraceptives
Only when it has been clarified that an induction is really necessary is it time to think about the advantages and disadvantages of the various medications. This is because all drugs used for inductions have similar side effects. The only difference: some drugs are better researched, others less so. The possible side effects also vary in severity.
So you have to weigh things up carefully. It's also perfectly fine if you take a little time to decide. It is important that you do not let the lack of staff in the clinic force you to make your decision. Full delivery rooms should not be a reason to speed up the birth of your child.
If you decide in favour of induction, you should communicate clearly which medication should be used. You should also always involve your midwife in your decision. She has attended numerous births and may be able to recommend an alternative method, for example acupuncture, a homeopathic or herbal remedy.
The fact that doctors do not inform their patients at all is standard practice in many German clinics. As a patient, you must give your consent, only then can a drug be administered. It is the doctor's duty to inform you of all the risks and alternatives. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. You should therefore not be afraid to ask all your questions and, if in doubt, think again.
Application not only in obstetrics
Many doctors also use the medication vaginally, for example if the menstrual flow stops early but there are still residues in the uterus. In this case, the woman inserts the tablet and triggers labour again. Although there is no risk to the child in this case, a rupture of the uterus cannot be ruled out.
The manufacturer Pfizer withdrew Cytotec from the market back in 2006. The reason: the drug was used too often in off-label use. The manufacturer expressly points out that there are no studies for use in obstetrics that positively assess the risk-benefit ratio. However, doctors and pharmacies can import the drug from EU countries.
If you have had any experiences with Cytotec yourself, please feel free to share them - anonymously if you wish - with other expectant or affected mothers.
Progress has finally been made since 2020. The stomach medicine Cytotec, which is often used to induce labour, has finally been banned for import into Germany. After it was withdrawn from the German market in 2006 for ethical reasons, it can now no longer be imported. Between 2006 and 2020, many doctors continued to use the drug Cytotec, as the active ingredient misoprostol has shown good efficacy for inducing labour. Cytotec was particularly popular due to its ease of administration. The tablets were easy to take orally. Designed as a stomachic, however, it contains a high amount of the active ingredient misoprostol. This meant that the tablets had to be divided, which meant that the correct dosage could not always be guaranteed.
Cytotec is being replaced by the drug Angusta 25, which also contains the active ingredient misoprostol. However, in a much lower dosage. These tablets do not need to be divided in order not to exceed the recommended maximum dosage. Angusta 25 originates from the Netherlands and is now also recommended in Germany for inducing labour.
Nevertheless, Cytotec will continue to be used
The use of this drug also remains controversial. While some doctors consider it to be urgently needed and indispensable in the delivery room, many other obstetricians consider it to be just as dangerous as Cytotec. After all, it is the active ingredient that on the one hand gets the birth going, but on the other hand has side effects such as contractions and even uterine ruptures.
Ultimately, the same dilemma remains. You have to weigh up which risk is higher: The risk of prolonging a pregnancy or inducing labour. If this consideration is taken seriously, it is not easy to make, even for the specialised staff. To make this decision, it is important that a good medical history has been taken at the beginning of the pregnancy and that the date of conception has been determined as accurately as possible. The babies are then still born within the birth period. However, the birth period should be distorted and influenced as little as possible by calculation errors.
However, the decision for or against induction of labour is always even more difficult for the heavily pregnant mum. Specialist staff and parents are therefore given sound help with the decision by the guideline on induction of labour. This is Guideline applies to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Ultimately, however, it is important for parents-to-be that they are well informed, that they know why the pregnancy should be terminated, what benefits can be expected from the medical measures, but also what side effects are possible for the mum, but also for the baby.
This consideration takes time so that a good and informed decision can be made. This is another reason why good preparation for the birth is important. The Online birth preparation course by midwife Katharina contains a lesson specifically on the topic of induction of labour.
Experience reports shared with us:
You want to write a review about Cytotec yourself? Click here.
I was induced before my due date because of the large size of my baby's head and because I had too much amniotic fluid. Nothing happened for ages. And the contractions kept disappearing. On the second day, the baby's heartbeat stopped for the first time. And luckily they were able to stabilise it again. I still hardly had any contractions. It was a caesarean section after all when the baby's heartbeat stopped for the second time. It was lucky that there were no serious consequences for the baby this time either. But it could have been.
Gunthild
The birth of our 2nd daughter in August 2019 was induced with cytotec because there was just enough space in the delivery room. After breakfast, the tablet was cut into pieces directly in the room by the midwife and we each got a piece...there were two of us in the room. I was still wondering about sharing such a tiny tablet again. But at the same time I was looking forward to finally getting started. After the dose we were both connected to the CTG and we were told that nothing would happen before 4.00 pm anyway. So I passed it on to my dad and sibling. 15 minutes later, on the one hand I felt incredibly nauseous and my heart started racing, and on the other hand something was wrong with our daughter's heartbeat. The midwife stormed into the room screaming "What's your child doing, what's your child doing", ran into the corridor with all the wiring and my bed, the plugs flew after us and we flew down the corridor to the delivery room with the words EMERGENCY. An entire operating theatre team suddenly stood over me and constantly heaved me from one side to the other, saying that our daughter was probably playing with the umbilical cord, which was why her heart sounds were so bad. I felt at the mercy of my mother, with the only hope of finally holding this healthy baby girl in my arms. The surgical team kept going out to offer advice and we waited for the doctor to perform an emergency caesarean section. The labour pains came in a flash and I couldn't breathe in any pain, fear, helplessness or joy. I could no longer control anything, everyone became more hectic, but also more helpless and suddenly I knew that my daughter was due in a few moments...in the absence of everyone I just screamed that my baby was coming. The midwife just caught our lion baby and rubbed her vigorously before I was allowed to hold her in my arms. I was then stitched up for more than 2 hours and was in complete shock. I ended up with a painful prolapsed uterus and post-traumatic stress disorder, both of which were treated for a long time. I have always lived with the knowledge that I have never experienced my body like this before and that something was wrong. It was only the last Stern TV report that made me sit up and take notice and do some research. I have a perfectly healthy child and now I know for sure that I wasn't wrong. I wish all women who have experienced the same or a similar situation peace and gratitude with themselves. Best wishes to all readers.
Franziska
My birth was induced with Cytotec at 40+1 due to a suspected onset of toxaemia. It only took 5 hours from the first labour until my daughter was born. I was completely immature beforehand. Right from the start I had hardly any breaks between contractions (maximum 30 second breaks) and neither painkillers nor tocolytics worked. In the end, I had to have an epidural to make the whole thing bearable. My daughter had green amniotic fluid, which I later learnt was caused by the stress of the rapid birth. We both survived the birth in good health, which is the most important thing. But 4 months later I still have the feeling that I was completely overwhelmed by the birth and breastfeeding didn't work, even though we tried everything together with a breastfeeding counsellor.
Marie
I was induced seven days BEFORE my due date, as my baby was very, very big. I was initially given a split tablet, 25 mg. Nothing happened. 2-3 hours later a full tablet with 50mg. Shortly afterwards the contractions started, which turned into violent contractions, without any breaks, for hours! I even had to be given an oxytocic. At some point, it was noticed that the baby's heartbeat was getting worse during the contractions. Oxygen supply measurement: no longer optimal. At about the same time, it was discovered that the uterus was threatening to rupture. The emergency caesarean section followed. I still haven't come to terms with the whole thing. My baby and I had a lot of problems at the beginning, breastfeeding didn't work. Today I feel extremely bad that I agreed to cytotec.
Claudia
I only have negative things to say about Cytotec. I was pregnant with our first child and 2 weeks before the due date I kept having contractions that left me unable to sleep. I was completely exhausted and went to the hospital. They advised me to take Cytotec, so I was put on a drip. This was followed by what was probably the worst and most painful experience of my life, although childbirth is supposed to be the most beautiful. A storm of contractions broke over me, the pain of which really made me think that humanity must be dying out or that all other women were crazy. I had to go through this hour-long labour storm without taking a break or catching my breath. My husband was quite shocked as I was delirious and just screamed and cried or threw up. I gave up completely exhausted and was actually on the verge of fainting. The midwife listened to my daughter's heartbeat and then it became very fast. Two doctors came in, one pressed on my stomach, the midwife held my legs and the second doctor talked about forceps and used them to get my daughter. I can't describe the pain I went through that month. Even when my daughter was briefly placed on my stomach, I felt neither joy nor happiness. I only felt pain. I suffered a 4th degree vaginal and perineal tear. Another doctor came to explain to me that they would take me to the operating theatre and put me under anaesthetic. I didn't really care about anything. I just wanted the anaesthetic to stop the pain. Looking back, it took me a long time to understand what this birth had done to me. I had severe postpartum depression and I was limited by the birth injuries for a long time. I wouldn't recommend this devilish stuff to anyone and can only advise against it. I had a great birth thanks to our second child and a caesarean section. I no longer had the choice so as not to jeopardise the healed perineal tear. However, I was fine and simply happy. Cytotec produces such strong artificial contractions. The contractions with my son were also painful, but compared to Cytotec contractions they were almost a walk in the park. This is the first time I've ever written about my birth because for years I didn't even want to think about it. I am not a pain-sensitive, snivelling person but I will never forget or repress this pain.
Verena
At last there is some light in the darkness. I will now try to write about what it was like, I repressed many years and I don't remember many things exactly...
Susan
On 23 September 2012, I went to the hospital of my choice because of a ruptured membranes. It was about a month before my due date. Somehow this time seems very strange to me. Like a fog and I find it difficult to remember everything exactly. I hope it will help me to finally talk about it and seek help for myself or us. So let's continue. We got there, my partner at the time and my mum, it was in the evening. Kind of an after-work atmosphere. I wasn't really given any information, I was rather scared and then I was given this pill. Honestly, I don't even know if it was cytotec. But after what I read here, what I saw in a documentary beforehand, what I went through that night, I believe it. I could certainly still experience it 9 years after the birth, I'll leave that out for now. Next. We were told that it would now take at least until the next morning and that I should try to relax/sleep. My mum and the father of the child then drove home. I have to say, the clinic is about 45 minutes away. So I made myself comfortable* and tried to prepare myself mentally for the birth. I tried to stay really relaxed, read a book and everything was fine at first. Then it suddenly started. Amniotic fluid started coming out of me again and the first pains set in. I was moved from my normal room to the maternity ward. And that's when the horror started. Somehow they weren't normal contractions, just continuous pain. More and more and more. I didn't have a mobile phone with me either. I just had it in my head - it won't start until tomorrow morning - I have to get through it. Everything was dark on the ward there. It was as if nobody was on duty except the midwife there. They did several ctgs but nothing could be seen. The cervix was still almost closed. I was already in terrible pain and I knew it very differently from my first birth, but I could no longer think clearly. I just wanted the pain to stop. I was then given an injection, which made me feel a little better for about an hour. In this room, where I was completely alone for the first 3 hours, there was a huge clock that I stared at the whole time. I felt really sick the whole time:( At some point I started to whimper and moan. So alone in front of me. It was just hell, but that was yet to come. I was already screaming in pain at times. Then they put a young woman by my side. I don't know, but I think she was still an apprentice or something. You could tell how insecure she was, she just wasn't up to it. I screamed to myself for hours and told her in between that I was scared and unrelated things. The pain was terrible, I just wanted it to stop. The midwife came from time to time, but nothing happened.
The cervix was 3cm at one point. That was a shock. I thought to myself, you won't be able to hold out much longer. I was actually screaming in pain and couldn't think straight. I told the nurse that this couldn't be normal and begged her to do something. She went out a few times, but she kept coming back and just didn't do anything except be there. She was lovely, yes, but she couldn't help me. The midwife didn't come in at all from 10pm to 11pm. She probably thought I was 3cm mm and I was screaming. I don't know, although I was really scared to death by then, I still had the feeling that I was a ball and chain. So I continued to torture myself.
Some time later I noticed a pressure in addition to the pain. I could no longer make sense of it all. I still had the words in my mouth that it wouldn't start until the next morning at the earliest. And yet I found it strange. I was screaming all the time. I was already completely exhausted. It felt like one big cramp. A very, very painful cramp. I kept saying that it was going to start or that something was happening. It was awful. The midwife then took pity on me again and looked*at the cervix. Yes, and what did she suddenly feel? Completely open. I was told to get up immediately and go to the labour ward. IT WAS JUST HORRIBLE! I had to go over there with a naked backside (because I had several blisters and had wet myself). Then everything went really quickly. I was at most 10-15 in the delivery room. She then called me at home and briefly told me that it was already starting. And then it started. I screamed really hard, I couldn't help it, I thought the pain couldn't be good. I also felt sick (I've always had circulatory problems) and thought that was it. The midwife also shouted at me to pull myself together, I should join in. She pushed herself on top of me, on my stomach and then she pushed my right thigh hard to the side. Another hell of a pain. I still have problems there today... Then the contractions finally came, so that I could feel them. I pushed and pushed and then my baby was there. Yes, you might think that was it. It was done. Unfortunately, it wasn't. He lay with me for a short time and then his breathing got bad. They took him away from me and took him to the intensive care unit. I don't really remember much from that point onwards. I was extremely exhausted and was probably also in shock. I was then alone again. A few minutes later, the father of the child and my mum were there. The best thing he said was "When are you finished, how much longer will it take?". I then just let the rest happen to me. I then spent another 3 weeks on the normal ward as a guest patient (where I wasn't treated well either) and my baby was in intensive care. Everything was fine with him on the outside. So beautiful. But he didn't want to be in this life yet. He didn't cry, he didn't want to drink, he had to be artificially fed. This time, these experiences severely traumatised us both. I tried to suppress it for many years. But nothing really got better. I am now chronically ill. Both mentally and physically, but this now, these reports here, everything I've read and seen about it, have finally opened my eyes. I sincerely hope that I will eventually find the strength to open up and get support for myself or for us. I wish all women who have had similar experiences and all people in general who have had to go through such terrible things all the best and love. Don't let it get you down and, above all, don't keep quiet, because that never makes it any better. Best regards ♥️
Premature rupture of the amniotic sac in the 40+5th week of pregnancy. Should have been induced in the 40+6th week of pregnancy anyway. I went to the hospital in the morning. I had no contractions. Absolutely nothing. That's when I was given the first tablet. In the evening I had the first signs of labour. They were contractions. By that time I had already taken 3 halves of the tablet. There were no contractions on the CTG.
Michele
They did not check whether the cervix had already opened. In the evening I was given another half and sent to sleep. I woke up at 5 o'clock in the morning with severe cramps and tossed and turned in bed until 7 o'clock. At 7 o'clock I went to the delivery room. My pain was simply dismissed there. There were no contractions on the CTG that was turned on. But I felt contractions and pressure downwards and in my legs. I was given the next half tablet. Even though I was having contractions. The cervix was not examined again. I was sent back to the room. At around 10 o'clock I had more intense contractions. I could no longer do anything. No matter whether I was sitting, lying down or trying a different position. The pain just wouldn't stop. I called my mum. She wanted to slowly make her way to me with the father once he had showered.... but that's another story. I went back into the delivery room alone.
Again, my cervix was not examined. I was just told: "Let's see if there are any contractions". I said that I was having contractions that wouldn't go away. Then I went back to the labour recorder. Again, my contractions were not visible to the midwife.
Suddenly my bladder burst and the midwife came back and took me into the delivery room. Whilst I was there, I said that something was pressing. And she replied: then go to the loo again.
Sitting on the toilet, I pushed until she came to me - I don't know how long later - and told me to lie on my back in bed. She wanted to see if my cervix was already open.
I told her that nobody had checked my cervix the whole time and that I wasn't going to lie down anywhere now. I then got onto the bed in a four-foot stance and stayed like that. The midwife then felt my head, which was already out. I pushed three times and then my daughter was there... I didn't think it was a nice birth.
Above all because the contractions came without a break and the midwives only used the labour recorder as a guide instead of checking on me.
I wouldn't let myself be induced again. At least not with this. I wouldn't let midwives send me away any more either. I would insist that they check the cervix.
I nibbled at the birth for a long time. The birth was 11 years ago. Now I'm pregnant again. Currently in the 39+3 week of pregnancy. Let's see if things go differently this time.
Editor's note: Some grammatical and spelling mistakes have been corrected to improve the readability of the article.
I have just read about Cytotec in the last few days and everything is coming back to me ... I am glad that my daughter (born in 2004) survived this terrible and traumatic delivery and is healthy. I was ordered to the clinic on the 8th day after the due date - with the explanation that there was hardly any amniotic fluid left. I was to be given a tablet to "stimulate" labour a little. I don't remember whether I signed anything at all - in any case, there was no counselling session.
Dorothea
I ruptured at 2pm, the contractions started gradually, from 6pm it was a storm of contractions without a break, I couldn't breathe and was half unconscious; my daughter's heartbeat could no longer be heard. The midwife was alone with me and the baby's father, screaming for help several times until someone arrived: Contraceptive drugs, I was given oxygen (she had put the mask on me, but in her panic hadn't connected it to anything). I was only halfway there, no longer knew what was happening, thought my child was dying or we were both dying ... suddenly there were doctors there, even the head doctor; episiotomy, suction cup, then my daughter was born at 10 pm. I was given the blood-smeared child in a towel on my stomach, she screamed the whole time. We were left alone for an hour, everyone had disappeared, I was bleeding, the baby was screaming, the father was trying to find someone. Finally, the grumpy senior doctor arrived - without another word he stitched the episiotomy, another midwife finally took care of our daughter.
It was a horror - and continued that way for the next few days. I was an inexperienced first-time mother - the fact that breastfeeding didn't work out "annoyed" the staff - apart from a few exceptions. My daughter only cried, slept for about 4 hours instead of 16 hours (sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes 15 minutes, at best 30 minutes), she could only fall asleep lying on her stomach and with physical contact.
This didn't change over the next few months, we went to a midwife with osteopathic experience; she advised us to ask for the hospital report as I was still traumatised. It was only because I had this meagre report and it fell into my hands the other day that I saw "Cytotec" on it - but without any indication of the dose. I always thought it was all just a "coincidence", but it wasn't! I am so angry at how people's lives and physical and mental health are being carelessly disregarded for the sake of convenience and greed!!!
I was traumatised by the birth and therefore don't want a second child. I was induced with Cytotec at 35+2 due to a ruptured bladder. It was unbearable pain, I felt like I was being tortured. I thought I was tearing up inside. One contraction after another and at first nothing happened at the cervix. I was in despair, I was in a parallel world and kept losing consciousness. Towards the end I thought that I wouldn't make it. I begged with the last of my strength for them to perform a caesarean section. Luckily, my daughter arrived a short time later.
Selina
I was started on cytotec at 38 +1 due to two illnesses. I was given a total of 7 tablets. The first dose was 50 mg, then 100 mg after 3.5 hours and 50 mg again after 3.5 hours. I was told that the last dose would be the last for the day and that I no longer expected to give birth. I already had slight contractions after the first dose. After the last dose and 3.5 hours of waiting, it started all of a sudden. Strong contractions, rupture of membranes at 10.30 p.m. MuMu at 2 cm. The pain was unbearable. Contractions came every 2 minutes. So I lay there in cold sweats, screaming and shaking until the muMu was about 4 cm and I was given an epidural. In between, the epidural was probably hanging and I was in pain again and thought I was going to die every minute of labour. When the epidural started again, it worked. In the end my baby came at 6 o'clock after three contractions. But I strongly advise everyone not to induce with it. It's best not to do it if at all possible.
Lisa
Unfortunately, my son didn't arrive on the due date, so we had to go to hospital every two days for a check-up. On day nine, the doctors told me that I could come back tomorrow morning and be induced. As we were already there, I thought we could do it straight away. I was only told that I would be given a preparation for the induction. We were not given any further information. I was given 2 - 3 cytotec tablets that day. From 8.00 pm we were told that we were finished for the day and would continue tomorrow, as they couldn't estimate what would be going on in the delivery room in the evening. My contractions started slowly at 4.00 am. But there weren't many. So I was given another dose. The pain was intense and could not have been of this world. It felt like a single contraction. I lay there and couldn't open my eyes as I felt dizzy and black in the face every time. I also kept throwing up. I lay there until 1.00 pm when the midwife - who ignored me most of the time - told me that my cervix was only a centimetre open. That was the first time I thought that I wouldn't make it through the day. It went on until 7pm - I was totally exhausted - until I had my epidural. I was so grateful and happy. Then it was on to the "labour stimulant", as the contractions are inhibited by the epidural. This was repeated a few times. At around 10pm, after a change of midwife, the young midwife made the very "friendly" statement "oh yes, I can see you're not up to it any more..." so the doctor, who I had never seen before, came in and said "it will probably be a caesarean section".
Salwa
I was and never wanted to have an operation because I am quite afraid that not everything will go well. But at that moment I was very much in favour and relieved. The doctor asked me to lie down on the operating table. But I couldn't feel anything. So I was carried over. I just want to emphasise how much of the epidural I had in me.
After the caesarean section, I was lying peacefully in the recovery room, breastfeeding my son. A young trainee midwife came in. She pressed on my stomach and said "oh". Unsuspecting, I asked if everything was okay. She just said that she would go and get a doctor.
What happened next is still the worst thing that could have happened to me. The doctor came in, pressed on my stomach and the blood just gushed out of me. My friend took our child, ran out and said "I can't stand to watch this". The doctor kept pressing and the bleeding didn't stop. Then he told me that I had lost too much blood and I had to go back to the operating theatre. When I asked what would be done, he said: "We'll scrape you out. I naively asked him: "and if that doesn't help?". He told me: "Then we'll put in a balloon. And I asked further: "If that doesn't help?". He replied: "Then you'll lose your uterus." And that's when I realised that things were going to get dicey.
I was operated on for hours in the operating theatre without being put under general anaesthetic. Time didn't pass and I kept hearing the doctors say: "it's not working"... "we're losing her"... I heard the anaesthetist arguing with the blood bank because he couldn't get enough blood for me. I heard him say: "she's not going to make it"... I saw more and more doctors coming into the operating theatre. I realised how helpless they were.... I started to shake. I cried and pleaded. I stared at the monitor and waited for the zero line.
And at some point I said that I couldn't take any more and wanted to die.... And then there was finally silence because I had finally been put under anaesthetic.
Until I woke up too early from the anaesthetic because I couldn't breathe. I was on all fours and just pointed to my chest.
I saw how desperate my sister and mum were. They kept asking what was wrong with me.
I woke up in the intensive care unit on a ventilator. I spent three days there without being allowed to see my child. Then - at my own request - I returned to a normal situation. I had constant shortness of breath. When it didn't get better, I kept having difficulty breathing and also panicked, I was x-rayed.
It was discovered that my lungs and heart were full of water. That's why they gave me dehydration tablets... My whole body was full of water. Every time I moved it just made me gurgle. I excreted 14 litres of fluid in three days. But I still looked very bloated. I was hospitalised for a total of 10 days.
I have to tell you: When I was operated on and put under anaesthetic, the anaesthetist went to my boyfriend at around 5:00 in the morning and told him to call the family because I probably wouldn't survive the night. It was a shock for everyone! My partner had given up our son because he didn't want him like that. He didn't want a child without a mother. He wanted to die instead of me.
After I was discharged, the midwife came and checked my tummy. I screamed in pain every time. There were pitying looks because my psyche was in a mess, even from the family doctor and gynaecologists... The pain increased. Six weeks after the birth, I lay in bed all night crying silently. I could only crawl like a dog. I went to the GP. He sent me straight to hospital on suspicion of appendicitis. Back at this maternity clinic, I was not taken seriously. I was examined for 5 hours until a doctor came who was present at the birth. She recognised that I had haematomas in my abdomen. I was taken back to the operating theatre. There the uterus and ovaries, which were attached to the abdominal wall, were removed.
Again I was in hospital for 9 days in agony.
I was also plagued by terrible nightmares where I screamed and couldn't sleep at night. I was a wreck and no longer wanted this life.
I then went for treatment.
Editor's note: Some grammatical and spelling mistakes have been corrected to improve the readability of the article.
My delivery with induction by Cytotec was 10 years ago now. I will describe it briefly and aptly with the fact that my husband was left like a heap of misery in the delivery room when the medical team ran with me to the operating theatre to perform an emergency caesarean section and he feared for our lives for more than an hour. It was only by chance when I read the first negative reports from Cytotec that I realised what had gone wrong. The birth was traumatic for me and triggered an anxiety disorder in me. I also struggled with self-doubt, because I kept asking myself whether I had done something wrong, whether something was wrong with me. It took 4 years to realise our 2nd wish to have children. Today we are parents of (thank God) two healthy children (10 and 5 years old). I am pleased to read that Cytotec's marketing authorisation has been withdrawn and I hope that no mother will have to go through such a terrible experience with this drug again.
Christina
On 3 April 2021 at 9am, I went to the hospital for the planned induction of labour. After a CTG and a lack of information, I was given my first Cytotec tablet. Two more followed that day. Nothing happened. The next day (Easter Sunday) I took a total of 4 tablets of Cytotec. Over the course of the day, the first contractions occurred, which became increasingly painful but did not affect the mother's mouth. I couldn't sleep that night as the pain was only bearable when I was walking or squatting. I already had to breathe through these contractions. At around 3am I had suppositories given to me in the delivery room to relieve the pain. That didn't help. Completely desperate, I begged for something stronger. In the end, I was given an injection in my bum at around 5am, which made me vomit twice, but at least I was able to relax a little. I was completely exhausted that day. In the morning I continued with the next dose of Cytotec. I took a total of 3 tablets that day. I was so tired and at the end of my tether that I cried and the CTG had to be taken standing up. A few times I fell asleep standing up, propped up on the delivery bed. When I got back to my room, I had no more breaks in labour. It felt like a storm and there was nothing I could do about it. At around 4pm I made the decision that I wanted a caesarean section. Immediately. I couldn't take any more! So I was examined again. Cervix 6cm open. Finally. I had an epidural inserted and was able to get some more sleep in the delivery room. At around 11pm my cervix was finally completely open, I hadn't felt any more pain up until then. The epidural had been very well placed and I was even able to move as I wanted, even go to the toilet. The dose was lowered and I could feel the contractions again. I breathed them in as best I could. The contractions started around 2 o'clock. At this point I wanted a caesarean section again. The contractions returned and I could hardly breathe, causing my son's heartbeat to drop. Blood had to be taken from his skull. Fearing for my son, I gathered all the strength I could muster. I only remember breathing. On, off. I didn't have any breaks in labour. At 3.03am my son was finally born. Everything was immediately forgotten. 3940g and 52cm! My little bundle of joy. The journey to you was not easy, but it was worth it.
Gina
I was 38+4 weeks pregnant with our first child. 10 days before my due date, my gynaecologist sent me to hospital with severe headaches, high blood pressure and protein in my urine. I was to be monitored there due to mild pre-eclampsia. I had to wait half the day in the corridor until I could move into a room and was accordingly exhausted and glad to be able to rest in the evening.
Steffi
At 9.30pm a nurse told me that the labour ward had called. I was told to come down, they wanted to talk to me about induction of labour. I was totally perplexed: "Why all of a sudden now?" - "They just have capacity". "But you just want to talk to me about it, don't you?" - "No, maybe you want to do it too." In the delivery room, a doctor explained to me that she would like to give me the first tablet of Cytotec to induce labour. This was an off-label medication, i.e. not authorised for induction in Germany. It is actually a stomach medicine, but it is common practice and it is easier to dose than a gel that is smeared directly on the cervix or a contraceptive drip. I was given a piece of paper to read through and sign. As I was totally unsure anyway, I didn't take the time to find out more, contact my midwife or anything similar. I asked several times whether it was really necessary to start the induction tonight, told her that I was overwhelmed at the moment and also cried a little. The doctor said "What are we supposed to wait for, for your values to get even worse?" and explained that I didn't have to go into labour straight away just because I was taking Cytotec. I said that my boyfriend had just left at 8pm and now I was sitting here alone and maybe something would happen tonight, I wasn't ready for that. "Please don't ask me now how long it will take before it starts," was the doctor's comment. I wasn't told about the side effects of the medication.
As I thought there was no other option, I signed the consent form and took the first tablet of Cytotec at around 9.45 pm. Although I was very tired, I didn't sleep a wink afterwards as I was constantly worried that the contractions could start at any moment. I was totally tense and overwhelmed.
I was correspondingly exhausted the next day. I was given a Cytotec at 9.00am, 1.30pm and 6.50pm. I was due back in the delivery room at 10.30pm for a CTG and to take the next tablet. Then I suddenly went into labour. I felt nauseous and couldn't lie still. When I told a midwife this, she said I shouldn't take it so seriously, maybe it was starting now, but that was just the beginning. So don't get carried away. I tried to stay calm and then had to go to the toilet urgently. While I was going there, I was already in really bad pain, like cramps, and felt like I was losing amniotic fluid. Back in the CTG room, I was wired up again and examined. My cervix was 2.5 cm open. The midwife, who was to accompany us until the end, asked me and my friend, who had arrived in the meantime, to walk around the corridors for an hour and then come back. She gave me a Buscopan suppository to take to alleviate the cramps (it didn't help). By then it was about 0:15. We walked around a bit, but I had to sit on every chair and lean on every pillar because I was having such strong contractions. At some point the intervals were already 2 minutes and I didn't know what to do with myself.
At 1.15am we went back to the delivery room and I told the midwife that there was a lot going on inside me and I couldn't bear the pain. As I hadn't slept the night before, I was sure that I wouldn't be able to cope with the birth and that I already had no strength left. The midwife was totally relaxed and wanted to do a CTG first and then see what she could offer me to ease the pain. I said there was no way I could lie still for 30 minutes now, it hurt so much. I couldn't sit, stand, lie or walk, but felt like I was being torn apart and that the downward pressure was getting more and more intense. So she examined me and the cervix had opened up to 7-8 cm within an hour. The contractions were coming at shorter and shorter intervals and I had the urge to push. Later the midwife said she had misjudged me and didn't think I would really be that far along. We were given a delivery room and shortly afterwards my cervix was fully dilated, so I was allowed to give in to the urge to push. It hurt like hell! I was given laughing gas, which made my eyes heavier and I felt slightly drowsy, but it didn't help with the pain. I tried different positions (lying on my back and side, in a four-footed position on the bed, kneeling, standing and with my arms wrapped around my boyfriend's neck), but nothing was bearable. As there were hardly any breaks between contractions, I could hardly slow down my breathing and couldn't use anything from my antenatal classes. I just wanted this labour storm to pass and our baby to come out - no matter what. I was connected to a contraceptive drip with oxytocin as I got closer and closer to the end of the labour. The contractions came one after the other and I felt like I couldn't breathe and desperately needed air and strength. Our daughter was born at 3.45am and we were overjoyed. In hindsight (now that I know more about Cytotec), I'm just relieved that our child survived the birth so well without a drop in heart rate or anything similar and that I was able to hold out until the end without the need for a caesarean section. From the first contraction until she arrived, it was just 5 very intense hours.
The first period of the puerperium was also difficult. Breastfeeding didn't work properly - although I had enough milk, I had inflamed nipples, so at some point I couldn't bear the pain any longer. I also cried a lot, doubted myself and wasn't myself. I didn't recognise myself and wasn't able to make decisions (e.g. to stop breastfeeding or stick it out?). Of course, I don't know for sure which of these negative experiences during labour and the postpartum period can be attributed to Cytotec, but I wouldn't take the drug again and would find out more about alternatives.
Fortunately, I'm fine today. But when my little Theo was born in 2017, I just didn't want to live anymore.
Lea
I was five days past my due date and the doctor said that the baby was too small. He estimated that Theo would weigh 2900 grams. I went straight from the antenatal clinic to the hospital. I sat in the corridor for quite a long time and waited until someone had time for me. Then finally a CTG and many hours later an ultrasound. It was a young doctor and I had the impression that she wasn't really sure. I was then advised to move into a room and stay there for observation. Of course I did that. I didn't want anything to happen to my baby. I actually wanted to go to sleep at 10.00 pm. But then I had to go back to the delivery room.
They told me that it was just about time to induce labour. The baby might not be so well cared for and then it would be good if the baby came soon. I understood that. But I was pretty tired and somehow completely unsettled. I then swallowed half a tablet and went back to the ward to sleep. The next day I had half a tablet in the morning and CTG checks in the evening and in between. In the evening I had my first mild contractions. But I was still able to sleep with them. At three o'clock in the morning, all hell broke loose. I had the impression that I was tearing up inside and out. I didn't have contractions - I had the feeling that everything was a never-ending labour. My husband rushed to me. He was super sweet and talked to me reassuringly the whole time. The midwife in the delivery room was also nice. But I didn't care about that at the time. When I just wanted to die, screaming for painkillers and a caesarean section, the midwife said that everything would be fine because the baby would be here soon.
Nothing was good for me at that moment.
Even though she was right. Theo was born at 5.24. I was so exhausted. I didn't even have the strength to look at my baby. I completely missed it. The little one wasn't breathing and had to go into the next room with the paediatricians. Fortunately, my husband went with the baby. But I lay there, totally alone and lonely and didn't even know what the baby looked like. I somehow managed to get through the first few weeks. I can't remember anything. Except that I always looked at my baby's face and wondered what he looked like after the birth.
I was just desperate.
2 responses
When I read the posts here, many parts could be told by me as well. It's so frightening!
In my case it was at 37+6 when I was physically completely exhausted when Cytotec was initiated. I also signed this note saying that it was for off-label use, but nobody told me anything about dangerous side effects. I was given the first tablet at around 2pm. The next morning at 5.45am I had a rupture of the membranes, but my cervix was not yet ready for labour. I then took the next tablet at 7am and from around 8.30am it just went to hell. My contractions were non-stop. I couldn't breathe or even take a deep breath. It was pure constant bombardment. At some point I was offered to go into the bath, which was supposed to relax me. It didn't work. Out again after 2 hours. Not great at all to climb out of a tub with contractions.... I had to vomit several times from the pain and was at the end of my tether. My cervix hadn't changed a bit by 5pm. The midwife told my partner at the time that she would now give me a pain infusion because otherwise I wouldn't be able to cope for much longer. No sooner said than done. The infusion literally sent me into delirium for a good 2 hours. When it subsided, the constant bombardment resumed and I screamed for a caesarean section and epidural. I then got the pda. However, this had to be injected several times because the contractions always started again after a very short time and I couldn't do anything else apart from scream. Eventually it was finally done at 11.59pm. My daughter had the umbilical cord around her neck and was a little blue, but fortunately this soon subsided and I finally had my baby on my chest. Unfortunately, my luck didn't last long as the placenta didn't come out and after countless attempts, blood eventually came out. When I had an emergency operation I lost 2.5 litres of blood and only just survived. Unfortunately, I don't know whether the overgrown placenta could have anything to do with Cytotec, but it's a strange coincidence that such a rare complication happens with the first child when this Cytotec birth was already such a horror.
Fortunately, we both survived and my daughter is doing brilliantly. I will probably never completely let go of the whole thing. Simply because it was so close that I'm still alive
The same thing happened to me 4 weeks ago with angusta.
I was 9 days over ET and was supposed to be induced. I really wanted to take the gel, but the doctors told me that I couldn't dose it and that the tablets would be better.
So I went along with it, because you think doctors are right.
I was given 2 tablets of angusta (50mg) straight away. The labour started after 3 hours. My waters broke immediately and I was looking forward to the birth. I then went to the ctg in the delivery room. The contractions were visible and still bearable. I was then told to go to bed and relax. Unfortunately, the contractions became so strong over the next few hours that I couldn't sleep. It was a horror. The contractions were not normal. I thought I was dying every few minutes for 8 hours. In the morning they wrote another ctg and said the contractions were very strong on the ctg and they were considering whether I could have another tablet. But the doctors then decided to give you another tablet. My cervix was immature at the time despite the strong contractions I had all night.
I took the next tablet and 30 minutes later I thought I was going to burst. The contractions came every 2 minutes. I couldn't stand, lie down, sit... I asked for a pda but didn't get one. It only said from 5 cm opening.
I was supposed to go out for a walk. Considering that I had been awake for over 24 hours and was only in pain due to these sick labour pains, how can you still go for a walk?
I tried to hold on.
The winds turned into gales and I couldn't walk after the first 50 metres. I went back and lay in bed. I was crying and screaming in pain. Then you're just mentally absent and don't want to go on.
The day passed and it was 3pm. A CTG was written and the cervix was examined. The result: nothing was happening. Completely immature.
I took another tablet and went to my room. I clawed at the bed in pain and screamed the room down. The contractions were real storms of labour and I thought I was going to die. In the evening I went to the ctg and they told me to get another tablet because everything was not ready for labour again. I refused everything!!!
From then on it was over!
I said I can't take any more, I'm finished. Everything in me refused to take another tablet.
The doctor urged me but I persevered. He then said he would like to give me the angusta for another 4 days. He said that an induction lasts up to 6 days.
I had to cancel this and told him that I wanted a caesarean section. That was the worst option for me before I came to the clinic and now I voluntarily want a caesarean section.
He immediately said no, that's not possible, I should take the gel. I didn't want any more, the pain was unbearable. He then said if something was free in the operating theatre ok. I was sent to my room.
Of course the doctor didn't get back to me all night, although he said I should be ready for the operation at any time.
I still had these 2 minute contractions all night that felt like they were tearing me apart. I dragged myself to the delivery room and collapsed. Again, not a wink of sleep the whole night, awake for over 2 days with these contractions, I begged crying for the operation. The same doctor was still on duty. He called in another doctor and he examined me. On day 3 he said everything was unfit for labour. Mumu completely closed. I then lay there for 3 days through hell, I was scared to death and nothing happened.
I had a nervous breakdown. The doctor said we would have a caesarean section immediately. His redeeming words: nothing has been happening for 3 days and you are at ET +12, something is wrong, we will put you on the emergency list immediately.
I was made ready for the operating theatre straight away, had a contraction inhibitor drip and paracetamol drip and went straight to the operating theatre. The other caesarean section appointments unfortunately had to wait, I had priority.
I was terrified in the operating theatre but everything went really well. I was so physically exhausted after the operation that I couldn't even walk on the third day.
It took me a week not to pass out from the pain. Unfortunately, the little one was taken out directly in the operating theatre without me being able to see him. Afterwards I had to stay in the recovery room for 3 hours although it wasn't a general anaesthetic. Only then, after 4 hours of surgery, did I see my child. Bonding was very difficult afterwards.
Breastfeeding didn't work at all and I had the feeling that I was just a stranger to the little one. He was only attached to my husband who looked after him for the first 4 hours.
This feeling was very bad for me. I had the feeling that I was so unnecessary. I thought the little one didn't need me at all. That great bond with me when he was still in my womb was gone and shattered. I cried for days. He only cried with me and my husband was always able to calm him down immediately.
I saw it at home with a nervous breakdown.
Even though I was able to see my child after 4 hours of surgery. Thanks to the pain, I couldn't look after him. It was impossible, it made me so sad.
At some point at home I had a crying fit and my husband discussed everything with me.
It got better after that because I spent a lot of time with the little one and we were able to make up for what the clinic had taken away from me.
Even if angusta has a licence, it is not a bit better and I would never take this stuff again. I would advise everyone against it. Don't ruin this great experience for your child with something like this