| Prostaglandin gels are popularly used during labor and | | | | for another dose at another time. |
| delivery as an artificial way of inducing labor for | | | | Prostaglandin gels can have some rare but annoying |
| women who have difficulty doing so. They mimic the | | | | side effects, such as vaginal irritation, diarrhea, nausea |
| action of prostaglandin, a natural hormone produced by | | | | and vomiting, cramping pain, and lower back pain. You |
| the body. Prostaglandin thins and softens the cervix, | | | | may also have excessive contraction, which can be |
| preparing it for delivery of the baby. When | | | | pretty dangerous. Excessive contractions result from |
| prostaglandin gels are used, the pregnant woman | | | | overstimulation of the uterus, which can then lead to |
| would usually start labor within 6 to 12 hours. | | | | fetal hypoxia or lack of oxygen going to the brain of |
| There are several conditions for the use of | | | | the baby, hence leading to brain damage. That is why |
| prostaglandin gels. Doctors cannot just use them | | | | it is important for pregnant women to be hooked to a |
| without satisfying even just one of the following | | | | fetal monitor during the induction of labor with the use |
| conditions. Prostaglandin gels may be used to induce | | | | of prostaglandin gel. If the doctors ignore the effects |
| labor if the pregnant woman is already past her due | | | | of the prostaglandin gel and something bad happens to |
| date. They can also be used to start labor if you are | | | | the baby or the mother, they can be held liable for the |
| going to deliver a large baby or a small one, and you | | | | incident. They can also be held liable for the improper |
| are already near or past your due date. Hypertension | | | | use of prostaglandin gels. |
| in pregnant women is also a ground for induction of | | | | However, it is very easy to defend these kinds of |
| labor using prostaglandin gels. | | | | cases on the part of the doctors. Most doctors' |
| Prostaglandin gels are inserted into the cervix. After | | | | lawyers will argue that what happened during labor |
| that, you have to remain in bed for an hour so that it | | | | and delivery are beyond their control already and the |
| does not ooze out and it stays in place. While you are | | | | brain damage that baby incurred is a result of |
| lying in bed, you will be hooked to a fetal monitor so | | | | non-physician management causes. They can also |
| that the doctor can monitor your contractions and the | | | | argue that the brain damage can be caused by a |
| baby's response to the prostaglandin gel. You will start | | | | number of other factors, such as inherent metabolic |
| to experience true labor within 6 to 12 hours, but if you | | | | conditions, infection, genetics, and even the mother's |
| don't, you will be sent back home and asked to return | | | | lifestyle. |