Pills that induce labor: consequences and reviews

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of Miropriston

The active substance of the drug mifepristone is a synthetic steroidal antigestagenic drug (blocks the action of the hormone progesterone at the receptor level) and does not have gestagenic activity. Antagonism with glucocorticosteroids , manifested due to competition at the level of interaction of the drug with receptors.

Mifepristone increases the contractile function of the myometrium, thereby stimulating, in choriodecidual cells, the release of IL-8 (interleukin-8) , increasing the sensitivity of the myometrium to prostaglandins . The result of the drug is desquamation of the decidua and, as a consequence, the release of a fertilized egg.

After taking a single dose of 600 mg, the maximum content of the active substance in the blood plasma is observed after 1.3 hours (1.98 mg/l). Bioavailability is approximately 69%.

Mifepristone in blood plasma is 98% protein albumin and acidic alpha1-glycoprotein ). The elimination of the drug, after the distribution phase, occurs slowly, with its concentration halving between 12–72 hours; after 72 hours, elimination proceeds more quickly. The half-life of the drug is usually 18 hours.

Childbirth after drug stimulation

Many expectant mothers are interested in advance about what pills are given to induce labor. This is not accidental, because it is known that artificial stimulation affects the process of childbirth.

Experienced mothers who have tried pills that induce labor on themselves note that under the influence of the drug the process is more uncomfortable and alarming.

Contraindications

• individual sensitivity to this drug;
• acute or chronic pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• long-term therapy using glucocorticosteroids ;
• porphyria;
• anemia (with hemoglobin less than 100 g/l);
• hemostasis disorders (including previous therapy using anticoagulants );
• acute inflammatory pathology of the female genital organs;
• severe extragenital diseases;
• uterine fibroids;
• smoking (for patients over 35 years old, without consulting a doctor).

Use for abortion :

• the estimated pregnancy period is more than 42 days of amenorrhea ;
• confirmed ectopic pregnancy or suspicion of its possibility;
• unconfirmed pregnancy;
• possible pregnancy that occurred due to the use of intrauterine contraceptives ;
• possible pregnancy after discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives .

Use for initiating labor and preparing for childbirth:

• preeclampsia;
• severe gestosis
• eclampsia;
• discrepancy in the size of the fetal head and the pelvis of the woman in labor;
• post-term or premature pregnancy;
• causeless bleeding from the genitals;
• pathological position of the fetus;
• severe hemolytic disease of the fetus;
• premature discharge of amniotic fluid.

Prescribe with caution:

• for arterial hypertension ;
• for bronchial asthma ;
• for chronic obstructive diseases of the pulmonary system;
• for cardiac arrhythmias;
• with diagnosed heart failure .

Indications for induction of labor

Childbirth is a natural process in the life of any woman. There are times when it is impossible to do without medical intervention and stimulation of labor. That is why many expectant mothers are interested in what pills are used to induce labor in the maternity hospital and how dangerous they are for the child’s life.

The doctor may offer induction of labor if the patient has indications for such a procedure:

• post-maturity of the fetus;
• absence of contractions after the rupture of amniotic fluid;
• presence of serious chronic diseases;
• multiple pregnancy;
• polyhydramnios.

All of these signs, in the absence of professional intervention, can harm not only the mother herself, but also her child.

Doctors often recommend premature induction of labor if the condition of the fetus worsens sharply. Most often, experts insist on a caesarean section.

It is worth noting that pills that induce labor can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. This is no coincidence, because they have a number of contraindications. Artificially induced contractions are much more painful and stronger than natural ones. In combination with pills that induce labor, a specialist must prescribe pain relief.

Side effects

When taking mifepristone :

• hives;
• hyperthermia;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• general weakness;
• feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen;
• nausea and vomiting.

During the procedure of medical abortion :

• pain in the lower abdomen;
• bleeding from the genital tract;
• inflammatory processes of the uterus and its appendages.

Deaths after taking pills that induce labor

Today, almost every woman knows which pills induce labor. This is no coincidence, because they are prescribed not only to late-term mothers, but also to girls who have had unprotected sexual intercourse or have an unplanned pregnancy. There are many cases where the use of such tablets caused death.

In September 2001, a woman died a week after taking Mifepristone. The cause of death was septic shock, which was caused by infection of the uterus.

On September 12, 2001, a resident of the United States of America died 5 days after taking Mifepristone. She had an ectopic pregnancy. It is known that in this case, stimulation of labor is prohibited. The cause of death was the negligence of doctors who did not immediately notice the ectopic development of the fetus. When the woman came home after the medical abortion procedure, she began to experience severe pain and heavy bleeding. She called her doctor several times, but he assured her that these were natural symptoms. A few hours later she was hospitalized and operated on, but she died from a ruptured fallopian tube.

In the summer of 2003, a resident of Sweden died as a result of a medical abortion. She received qualified medical care. The specialist told her which pills induce labor and how to take them correctly. A week after the examination, the girl took Mifepristone. A few days later she was given a prescription for another drug. After taking it, the girl began to experience severe pain and heavy bleeding. At the hospital she was injected with painkillers and given first aid. 6 days later her body was found in the shower. The cause of death was bleeding.

Instructions for Miropriston (Method and dosage)

The drug Miropriston in the form of tablets is taken orally. The drug should be prescribed and used only in specialized medical institutions that have trained and trained personnel, as well as the necessary diagnostic and treatment equipment.

To terminate an unwanted pregnancy in the early stages

Prescribe 600 mg of the drug (3 tablets of 200 mg each) once 1-1.5 hours after a meal, with a sufficient amount of water. The drug is indicated for use only in the presence of the attending physician. After taking 3 tablets of Miropriston, 36-48 hours later, the patient is prescribed Misoprostol at a dose of 400 mcg and left under the dynamic supervision of the attending physician for 2 hours. Ultrasound monitoring and repeated clinical examination are prescribed 10-14 days after starting Mifepristone . If necessary, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin is determined in order to confirm a successful medical abortion.

If the effect of therapy is negative or incomplete (continuing pregnancy or incomplete abortion), vacuum aspiration with further histological studies is recommended on the 14th day after taking the drugs.

For preparation and artificial induction of labor

The drug Miropriston is prescribed as tablets to induce labor in a dose of 200 mg (1 tablet) once (only in the presence of the attending physician). After a day (24 hours), 200 mg of Miropriston is re-prescribed. The condition of the birth canal is assessed 48-72 hours after taking a second dose of the drug. If necessary, prostaglandins and Oxytocin .

How long does it take for mifepristone to induce labor to work?

My pregnancy was ideal - no heartburn, no swelling, no stretch marks... I really liked everything. I was pregnant in a good private clinic, I felt joy from every visit to my wonderful doctor, and I was in much the same mood for the birth. I was sure that everything would go as easily as possible. However, the story turned out to be more interesting...

I signed a contract at maternity hospital No. 3 (Chelyabinsk, emergency hospital). Because they recommended a specific doctor to me - Elena Sergeevna Lomova (she is the deputy chief physician there). I’ll say right away that the choice was excellent, but the theme of easy childbirth did not work.

At 40 weeks, I was told to go to the maternity hospital as planned - my cervix was soft, it would allow a finger through, but it was not ready. It spasms, and this can lead to weak labor. In the troika, it seems like there is preparation for childbirth - they talked about some procedures and exercise therapy. In general, no matter how much I wanted to be in the maternity hospital ahead of time, at 40 weeks I went to give up. I had been training for a long time, I didn’t sleep for a couple of nights at home, wondering “what if it happens” - in short, I convinced myself that it would be calmer in the maternity hospital. I went there almost “without an overnight stay,” confident that I would give birth on October 17th. Yeah of course.

Firstly, I now understand that you shouldn’t go to the maternity hospital on Friday. Until Monday NOTHING happened to me. It’s completed, there’s no disclosure, the CTG is good, the baby doll isn’t suffering—there’s no rush. That’s why I was sad within 4 walls, although I could have walked and enjoyed life for a few more days in freedom. I once had a not very pleasant experience of being in a general ward, so I took myself a paid single ward, surrounded myself with books and a tablet and just sat there. I couldn’t hear the women in labor, but my mood itself had greatly diminished, because it was very sad. By the way, there were no procedures, and exercise therapy is ordinary physical education for everyone.

At gestational age 40.4, I was given a stimulant pill - Mifepristone. For the cervix was not ready and was not preparing, and without stimulation the birth would have been very difficult. I really dreamed about this, I wanted to go give birth. I read before that someone gave birth almost a couple of hours after taking the pill, I thought that it would be the same for me. At 12:30 p.m. they gave it to me. At 6 pm light contractions began. By 9 pm they were no longer light at all, but very noticeable.

At 12 at night the contractions reached such a level that it became difficult to endure them lying down. I walked along the corridor all night (with a couple of other sufferers). But they told me - you’re not giving birth, it’s your cervix that’s getting ready. No disclosure. At 4-30 it was already difficult for me to endure, contractions came every 4-5 minutes, but this was considered insufficient. We had to wait for an interval of 2-3 minutes, but it still wasn’t there. I called Lomova, grabbed the doctor on duty, tormented the midwife, but there was only one answer - everything is fine, this is how it should be, this is according to plan, but you are not giving birth, baby. This is the neck being cooked.

Having not slept all night, in the morning I heard again about “you’re not giving birth.” The pain was very strong, compared to childbirth, as I now understand, only 20 percent less. They gave me a sedative to help me sleep, and I lay half asleep for 2 hours. Of course, I couldn't sleep. The contractions continued - sometimes every 4 minutes, sometimes every 7 minutes, but constantly. But I still didn’t give birth.

Here, by the way, for some reason my grandmother came to the maternity hospital (without warning) and brought me a bunch of some food in jars and bottles. Going down to her with contractions, and then dragging a heavy bag - it was a separate adventure.

At 12:30 on the new day (October 22) I was given a second mefipristone tablet. Everything is according to plan, everything is as it should be. I was already wildly afraid of this pill, because I understood that the contractions would be even stronger, even more frequent, and again “preparing the cervix, you are not giving birth.” But there was nowhere to go.

The contractions were VERY painful. I almost screamed, and only because screaming would be the most terrible thing for me. The only thing that helped was to imagine that there was a piston inside me, and this piston was pushing the dolly down, its movement had a beginning and an END. That this is not an abstract pain, but a very concrete process in which something important happens. Sometimes I tried to stroke and comfort the baby doll inside, but mostly there was no time for it.

At 4 o'clock in the afternoon I finally heard the sacred - “dilation is 2 cm, let's go give birth.” At that time, the contractions had lasted almost a day, if you count from the first sensations, and 18 hours from the moment they became strong. I didn’t sleep for a very long time and didn’t have the strength, but I had to give birth.

Enema, nightie, CTG - everything is like everyone else. The bubble was opened and the waters were clear. The contractions became even more painful. Lying on a CTG, of course, is tough - I’ve read other people’s stories about this and I can confirm it myself. Here, for some reason, it helped me to wave my hand like a swan’s wing. I also endured it all in silence, I tried to squeak once, but somehow it didn’t do anything, so I decided to hold on.

Then they took me to the antenatal room, where I collapsed exhaustedly on a ball. The ball is a thing. This is what allowed me to survive the contractions in general; on him they felt different, easier. Only then did I discover that there was someone else in the room - the girl was lying there for a CTG. She didn’t give birth, it’s just that other coronary care specialists were busy, and she was taken to prenatal care. Well, here I am with my contractions. We started a casual conversation, in which I periodically froze and tried my best to remain silent and not frighten her too much. The person seems to have another week to walk, why would I terrify her.

By the way, it was then that I realized that I would not give birth with my husband. In general, we had a partner birth, and all this time my husband cut off my phone with the question “I’m leaving!!” But even at the beginning of the contractions, I somehow doubted that I needed it. It turned out to be much more painful, and all my strength went into surviving the contraction. It was unclear how my husband could help me, and in all seriousness I didn’t want him to see it. So I called him and very diplomatically told him that it might make sense to come back later and look at my son, but not at me now.

I began to feel like I was falling off the ball from fatigue. I just can't sit upright on it. They also promised me an injection to help me sleep. So I started calling my doctor, who went to the next room for another birth. When she returned to me, two interesting facts immediately became clear. Firstly, the dilation is complete - in an hour from 4 fingers to 10, so there will be no sleep. Secondly, I feel pain, dear mother. Lomova told me - great, let's push. Well, at least the girl seemed to have already left by this time. Seems. The doctor sat with me, reassured me, praised me. She said that I was doing everything right and there was just a little bit left. I, who planned to be a steadfast tin soldier, screamed like a fool, and no “don’t scare the baby” worked here. It was even worse for me to push than to endure contractions, because here I understood that I would simply burst. There were a lot of attempts, not just one or two, as I had imagined. Somewhere after pushing for 6 Lomova said: “The head has appeared, give me your hand and feel it.” For some reason I was very afraid of this moment, so I began to beg her: “No, don’t ask me to do this, please, I won’t touch anything!” Well, no, no, so we went to the delivery room.

I also imagined the delivery room differently. It looked exactly the same as it probably did during my mother’s birth - an old soviet chair, no “clinics” or “Doctor Houses” for you. By the way, the whole maternity hospital looks like this, but I expected something more advanced from the delivery room. However, I didn't care. I flew up onto the chair, and the attempts continued. There were quite a few of them again, probably about six of them, before the midwife said: “No, well, there’s nowhere to go now,” and chucked me. It was very noticeable and painful, but I didn’t care, I even managed to ask for an incision before this.

And... Nikita was born. With one push, the head, then the body. He was plopped onto my chest, and a wave of uncontrollable... surprise washed over me. I silently looked at him with square eyes, they even asked me why I was so amazed. I couldn’t believe that there was a person inside me, and now he’s here, and this is also my son. Nikita was groaning, moving, was warm, wet and stained with blood. 19-10, 8/8. With a weight of 3730 grams, a height of 51 cm. His head was 36 cm, it is no wonder that it was so difficult for me to give birth to him.

I instantly came to my senses. With a smart look, she noticed that the last stage of childbirth remained - the placenta. “Well, not really,” they told me, but the placenta was born instantly and unnoticed by me. However, I wouldn’t want to look at it, but for some reason they showed it.

“Not quite” meant that they would need stitches. This process was endless, it lasted almost an hour. Well, about 40 minutes exactly. Here we also had small talk, during which I periodically hissed - the ice-caine did not work everywhere. I had three stitches, but there were a lot of stitches. During this time, I clarified how many children are born on average, how a midwife manages to work like that, and so on. The doctor observed my stitches and decided that “even better than it was.”

Nikita was first on my chest, then he was transferred to the table. The midwife who stitched me up turned out to be the only person who described the children, so for a while he just lay there and squeaked.

Then 2 hours in the corridor, with the child at my side. He was tightly swaddled and placed on my very narrow gurney; I was afraid to move and didn’t really get a good look at him. My husband came, and we didn’t care about the scary corridor, the uncomfortable gurney, the pain... We looked at our son and tried to realize that he was real, that he was ours, that now we have a child.

Then I was taken to a room for four. I was there first. Then another girl arrived, and then... the one who was with me at the CTG. After looking at me, she came to her pathology without signs of labor, after 2 hours contractions began, and after another 2 hours she gave birth! At 38, maybe, weeks.

The next day I moved to a paid ward. In the three, all chambers are “mother and child”. And it's very difficult. You hardly walk, you can’t sit, your stitches hurt like crazy, but you have to take care of the child. However, this is a very cool school of life - in the shortest possible time you learn everything. The thermometer in the room showed +30, it was very stuffy, children were screaming around, milk was coming in and all the worries associated with breastfeeding... At 5 am I got up to treat the sutures (and I fell asleep, say, at 3), then until 10 am there was always someone comes in - one round, another... It was hard for me in the maternity hospital, but by the last day there I got involved and learned to cope with everything. And I even slept a little.

My labor lasted 22 hours from the moment of strong contractions. And a little more than 2 hours from the moment the water broke. As soon as the neck started working, everything happened very quickly. Such a long labor is said to be the result of stimulation. Therefore, I would suggest anyone who does not have problems with the cervix and wants to speed up labor to think again. Of course, mefipristone doesn’t always work this way, at least I’ve read easier stories with its participation. But somehow I didn’t like giving birth.

And I will end my long story the way everyone else does. The very next day I could not remember the feeling of the contraction. I remember that it hurt, but the feeling itself was simply erased from my memory. All these days merged into one time period, and it no longer seemed so endless and wild. Everything is forgotten, for one simple reason - now I am a mother. Nikita was born very beautiful, not at all like a newborn - rather, like a baby a few days old: with cheeks, plump and round. He looks like me, only he is very serious and sticks out his lips funny. You want to hug, kiss and protect him, and therefore it doesn’t matter at all what preceded him.

After the maternity hospital, I enjoy how good it is at home. I won’t say that it’s simple (now I know what “gaziki” are, and this is a separate saga), but having a son is very, very cool.

special instructions

Patients who take Miropriston to terminate an unwanted pregnancy in the early stages should have full information about the action of this drug. In particular, if there is no effect from taking the drug on days 10-14 ( continuing pregnancy or incomplete abortion ), the pregnancy must be terminated in another way recommended by the attending physician, in order to avoid the risk of developing congenital defects in the fetus.

The use of Miropriston requires the prevention of Rh alloimmunization and the appointment of other general measures that accompany abortion.

Contraindications to artificial induction of labor

Absolutely any medical procedure has a number of contraindications. Artificial induction of labor is no exception. If a woman in labor had a cesarean section during a previous pregnancy, then pills that induce labor are contraindicated for her. Artificial stimulation can lead to rupture along the old seam.

Artificial induction of labor is also contraindicated if the fetus is large, its growth and development stops, and also if the pregnant woman has diabetes, intrauterine bleeding, placental abruption, or an infectious disease of the uterus. If at least one of the above signs is present, labor induction is not prescribed.

Reviews of Miropriston

Reviews on forums about the drug Miropriston, as a means of terminating an unwanted pregnancy, are mostly positive. Of the advantages of this drug, attention is most often paid to the possibility of abortion without surgical intervention. Disadvantages include pain in the lower abdomen , vomiting and a feeling of discomfort after taking the medicine. Side effects and undesirable consequences of using Mifepristone usually occur when taking the drug at home without consulting a doctor.

There are practically no negative reviews about Miropriston during childbirth. This drug is used in obstetric practice quite widely and successfully.

General information about the drug to induce labor

Tablets that induce labor contain artificially synthesized antigestagens. These medications block some intrauterine processes. The hormones contained in the tablets lead to accelerated development of labor. They help open the cervix.

Previously, pills that induce premature labor were used for emergency contraception after fertilization. These drugs are known as abortifacients.

It is for this reason that many women believe that the pills have a negative effect on the child. Before taking such a drug, it is imperative to consult a specialist.

Miropriston price, where to buy

The price of Miropriston in a pharmacy (Table 0.2g N3) ranges from 535 to 692 hryvnia, depending on the medical institution.

In Ukraine, Miropriston can be purchased exclusively by prescription, with further use in a specialized clinic, under the strict supervision of the attending physician.

• Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine

Pharmacy24

• Miropriston 0.2 g N3 tablets ZAT "Obninsk Chemical-Pharm. Company", Russia
  755 UAH.order