What signs indicate that your Cervidil is working? (3+ obvious indications)

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “What signs indicate that your Cervidil is working?”. Cervidil is a prescription medication which can be used for the purpose of cervix dilation in women who are at the end of their pregnancy period. 

This blog will cover all the signs you begin to see when cervidil starts working. 

What signs indicate that your Cervidil is working? 

The signs which indicate that cervidil is working include:

• You feel mild contractions 
• Pink-colored vaginal discharge 
• Lower abdominal cramps
• Cervix dilation

You feel mild contractions 

Cervidil, a brand name for dinoprostone, contains prostaglandins which are normally found in the body. This medication can be used to soften the lining of the cervix when the labour is induced, in order to make it thin enough for the baby to pass through it easily. 

As prostaglandins can cause contractions, you may experience some mild contractions which indicate that the cervidil is working for you. 

Pink colored vaginal discharge 

Another sign that indicates your Cervidil has started to work is the release of pinkish discharge from your vagina. This effect is produced when the cervix is dilated. 

So if you see any such vaginal discharge, it indicates that your Cervidil is working and is making the cervix thin and easier for your baby to go through. 

Lower abdominal cramps

Lower abdominal cramps are also commonly experienced when you take cervidil. It is sometimes considered a side effect. The intensity of this pain can vary from woman to woman. Some women feel mild discomfort while others may experience severe pain. 

However, this pain usually gets blended with the labour pains because cervidil is usually given at the time of birth or when the labour is induced in women who fail to achieve natural cervix dilation at the end of month 9 of their pregnancy. 

Cervix dilation

Cervix dilation is indeed a big indication that your Cervidil is working. This is because the drug is meant to produce this effect as it was taken to achieve the same thing. However, some women may dilate a little and still take time to go into the process of labour. 

On the other hand, some women dilate enough to start the process of natural birth. It totally depends on how your body reacts when it is exposed to this medication. It can induce contractions in some women. 

Is cervidil strong enough to induce labour on its own? 

No, cervidil is not strong enough to induce labour when it’s given alone. This medication works on the cervix. It makes the lining thin and dilates the cervix in order to move the baby easily to the birthing canal. It has no effects on uterine contractions that push the baby out of the uterus. 

Cervidil is given in combination with estrogens in order to induce labour. Estrogen is responsible for uterine contractions and that induces labour. Cervidil just acts as a supporter to make the baby move easily and it minimises the chances of the baby’s head getting stuck in the cervix. 

What is the proper way to use cervidil? 

Cervidil is available in the form of a gel and in the form that can be inserted into the vagina. This is usually done by a healthcare professional as cervidil needs to be administered deep into the vagina and the patient can not do it in an ideal way. 

The patient is required to lie down for a while until the med starts to produce its effect. Sometimes, the initial dose is not enough to produce the desired effects and this is exactly why another dose is administered usually after 6 to 8 hours, depending on the condition of labour and the intensity of uterine contractions. 

What are the side effects associated with the use of cervidil? 

Cervidil does not produce side effects that commonly, but it doesn’t mean it’s not associated with some. Mild side effects of this med include:

• Abdominal pain 
• Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea 
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Hot flashes 
• Mild to severe headache
• Fever

Some serious side effects can require immediate medical attention. These include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Unusual and smelly vaginal discharge 
• Persistent fever with chills
• Muscle weakness 
• Increased vaginal bleeding 
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body, especially the face. 

These side effects can vary from person to person. Every human body reacts differently when it is exposed to medications. It is impossible to predict how you will react and what kinds of side effects the med will cause in you. 

It is also extremely important to determine if you’re allergic to the medication prior to actually taking it. The side effects can be managed because the patient is already in the hospital when cervidil is administered. 

The patient is not allowed to move or walk until two to three hours of drug administration and is required to lie down in bed. This makes medical attention constantly available if needed or if things start to go south. 

However, some women have tried to do this on their own and it is not recommended. First, the administration should be accurate and deep into the cervix which is not always possible for the women to do by themselves. 

Secondly, it is not recommended to try drugs like these without medical supervision. 

Does cervidil interact with any other drug? 

Cervidil might interact with some intravenous drugs. However, it is contraindicated to be used in patients receiving any oxytocic agent via intravenous administration. 

Cervidil will interact with these agents and can significantly increase the effects of these agents. Experts suggest that there should be a minimum 30 minutes gap between the administration of these two drugs. 

Drug interactions should be an important consideration before taking two or more medicines together. Yes, drugs in combination are often used to achieve better therapeutic response but this is not the case with every interaction. 

Some drugs are highly incompatible with one another. They often cancel out each other’s effects or antagonise them. Some drugs are so incompatible that they end up changing the entire chemical composition of one another. 

Some interfere with metabolism or bioavailability (the rate and extent at which the active drug moiety enters systemic circulation/blood). This can lead to drug accumulation in different parts of the body. 

It is always advised to inform your healthcare provider of any medicine you take before getting a new prescription. Your doctor will make sure not to prescribe any such drug which might interfere with those you are already taking. 

What are the important points to consider before using cervidil? 

• Make sure you properly inform your doctor if you have used this medication in the past or if you’re allergic to it. 
• Report any problems with bleeding, swelling or abnormal pain right away. It may produce serious complications in women so it is closely monitored when used in women for the first time. 
• Inform your doctor if you have any underlying medical condition like diabetes, hypertension, heart condition, glaucoma, gasthma, COPD, kidney disease or any liver disease. 
• It is very important to mention any medical procedures you have had before taking this medicine, like caesarean section (C-section) or any other uterine surgery 
• Make sure your doctors rule out any possible tumour or uterine, ovarian or cervical cancer. 
• Inform your doctor if you’re already a nursing mother. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the possible signs which indicate the working efficiency of cervidil. Cervidil, a brand name for dinoprostone, contains prostaglandins which are normally found in the body. 

This medication can be used to soften the lining of the cervix when the labour is induced, in order to make it thin enough for the baby to pass through it easily. Another sign that indicates your Cervidil has started to work is the release of pinkish discharge from your vagina. 

Lower abdominal cramps are also commonly experienced when you take cervidil. It is sometimes considered a side effect. The intensity of this pain can vary from woman to woman. Cervix dilation is another sign. Cervidil is available in the form of a gel and in the form that can be inserted into the vagina. 

This is usually done by a healthcare professional as cervidil needs to be administered deep into the vagina and the patient can not do it in an ideal way. Make sure you properly inform your doctor if you have used this medication in the past or if you’re allergic to it.

FAQs: signs cervidil is working 

Can you feel Cervidil working?

The signs which indicate that cervidil is working include:

• This medication can be used to soften the lining of the cervix when the labour is induced, in order to make it thin enough for the baby to pass through it easily. As prostaglandins can cause contractions, you may experience some mild contractions which indicates the cervidil is working for you. 
• Another sign that indicates your Cervidil has started to work is the release of pinkish discharge from your vagina. This effect is produced when the cervix is dilated. 
• Lower abdominal cramps are also commonly experienced when you take cervidil. It is sometimes considered a side effect. 
• Cervix dilation is indeed a big indication that your Cervidil is working. This is because the drug is meant to produce this effect as it was taken to achieve the same thing. 

How long does Cervidil take to induce?

Cervidil may take up to 5-12 hours to start producing its effects. However, this time duration can vary from person to person. Some women begin to see effects right after 3 to 4 hours and the cervix starts to dilate. On the other hand, some women might wait for hours but see little to no effect. In such patients, cervidil is readministered after 6 to 8 hours. 

What is the success rate of Cervidil?

The success rate of cervidil is around 50-60%. The drug produces variable effects in different women. Some women experience pronounced effects while the drug does not act good enough for others. 

Does Cervidil cause strong contractions?

Cervidil, a brand name for dinoprostone, contains prostaglandins which are normally found in the body. As prostaglandins can cause contractions, you may experience some mild contractions. It can also cause strong contractions in some women. 

Does Cervidil make you dilate?

Cervix dilation is indeed a big indication that your Cervidil is working. This is because the drug is meant to produce this effect as it was taken to achieve the same thing. However, some women may dilate a little and still take time to go into the process of labour. On the other hand, some women dilate enough to start the process of natural birth. It totally depends on how your body reacts when it is exposed to this medication. 

References 

• Ivanka B R Candappa et al. Res Vet Sci. (2009) – A preliminary study on the suitability of Cervidil to induce cervical dilation for artificial insemination in ewes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19303615/
• National Library of Medicine – Cervidil https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682512.html