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Synthetic oxytocin, sold under the brand name Pitocin among others, is a medication made from the peptide oxytocin. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] As a medication, it is used to cause contraction of the uterus to start labor , increase the speed of labor , and to stop bleeding following delivery . [ 6 ]
Labor induction is the process or treatment that stimulates childbirth and delivery. Inducing (starting) labor can be accomplished with pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical methods. In Western countries, it is estimated that one-quarter of pregnant women have their labor medically induced with drug treatment. [1]
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide normally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. [4] Present in animals since early stages of evolution, in humans it plays roles in behavior that include social bonding, love, reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth.
Oxytocin/ergometrine (trade name Syntometrine) is an obstetric combination drug. The components are synthetically produced oxytocin , a human hormone produced in the hypothalamus , and ergometrine , an alpha-adrenergic , dopaminergic and serotonin (5-HT 2 ) receptor agonist.
Oxytocin facilitates labour and will follow a positive feedback loop. Augmentation is the process of stimulating the uterus to increase the intensity and duration of contractions after labour has begun.
Oxytocin is the most commonly used agent for labor induction. It is given intravenously since it is easily degraded by the body if given orally. While giving oxytocin, it is important to monitor the mother and the fetus, specifically the mother's uterine activity and the fetal heart rate.
However, one study reveals that this may be dangerous because of the uncontrolled release of oxytocin which has shown to correlate to the onset of uterine tachysystole. [7] Prostaglandins, commonly used for initial stages of labor induction or augmentation, have been associated with tachysystole as well as fetal distress. [8]
It is released in response to an increase in oxytocin levels in the uterus, and stimulates both luteolytic activity and the release of oxytocin. [6] Because PGF 2α is linked with an increase in uterine oxytocin levels, there is evidence that PGF 2α and oxytocin form a positive feedback loop to facilitate the degradation of the corpus luteum. [7]