The injection known as Pitocin is a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin. A hormone known as oxytocin is responsible for the contraction of the uterus. It is administered during labor through an intravenous (IV) line to induce or speed up contractions.
Pitocin will be discussed in this article, including its use, potential side effects, and difficulties.
Purpose
To start labor, an intravenous injection of Pitocin, also known as an oxytocin injection, is usually administered at least 39 weeks into a pregnancy.
Medicine that will prepare you for labor may be given to you.
Your healthcare practitioner may decide to administer Pitocin to you to speed up your contractions if you have already gone into labor on your own but aren’t making any progress.
In most cases, it takes roughly 30 minutes to begin to trigger contractions in the uterus. Your blood pressure and the frequency of your contractions will be monitored by your medical team while the Pitocin is administered via the IV drip.
Additional Details
In addition, they will watch your baby closely for any indications of fetal distress (inadequate oxygen supply). There are a wide variety of possible clinical justifications for inducing labor. The following conditions may apply to Pitocin: There have been more than 42 weeks since you became pregnant, yet you have not yet gone into labor.
- The amniotic fluid is low.
- For instance, your child has a condition known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which causes them to develop more slowly than they should.
- You have chorioamnionitis, an infection of the amniotic fluid and the placenta. The placenta is the organ that forms in the uterus to provide the growing child with blood and nutrition.
- As well, the amniotic sac broke during labor.
- You are suffering from diabetes throughout pregnancy.
- You suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure).
- There are issues with one or more of your main organs, maybe including your heart and kidneys.
- There are issues with the placenta’s function or size, both of which are problematic.
Pitocin helps with labor contractions. Oxytocin helps you start labor.
Complications
However, when taking Pitocin to induce labor, there is a remote but present risk of experiencing major medical consequences. Its use may lead to a variety of serious problems, including:
- Uterine rupture (tearing of the uterus)
- Moreover, excessive contractions of the uterus may occur due to hyperstimulation.
- Seizures are a kind of uncontrolled electrical activity that may occur in the brain. Low blood pressure and low salt levels can trigger seizures.
- a significant amount of bleeding
- Whereas signs of severe allergic response, including a rash, hives, trouble breathing, a racing pulse, or swelling
- Pitocin may, in very unusual circumstances, lead to fetal discomfort, issues with fetal health, or even stillbirth.
Pitocin and Cervidil are effective the vast majority of the time. The term “most” is the crucial word here. Inducing labor results in a vaginal delivery for 75% of first-time moms who give birth naturally.
Many will need a cesarean section since the cervix is not dilatation after birth.
Pitocin Risks
Despite this, without a drug that is entirely safe, labor is unpredictable and frequently challenging to manage. It is necessary to be aware that a cesarean section is a risky surgery.
If you want to feel less anxious about the labor that you are going to have to go through, getting an induction is something that you should only undertake after you have established a relationship of trust with your doctor.
If you want to feel less anxious about the labor that you are going to have to go through, getting an induction is something that you should only undertake after you have established a relationship of trust with your doctor.
100 mg is the recommended dosage for oxytocin. You take the pill while laboring.
Additional Info
Inducing labor is not an option that is available to all pregnant women. A person at high risk of cancer should not take Pitocin.
- You have a history of significant uterine surgery or a previous C-section that used a traditional incision.
- The placenta has obstructed your cervix.
- Your baby is in a position that is either breech or transverse.
- You are now suffering from an active case of genital herpes.
- You are suffering from a prolapse of the umbilical cord.
Also, many women report that the use of Pitocin during labor results in an increase in the level of discomfort and intensity felt by the patient, and after reading about the effects that Pitocin has on your body during labor, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
It causes the body to experience more frequent and stronger contractions than they normally would be, which might end up hurting a lot more than they would during natural labor. Thus, Pitocin can accelerate labor, so discomfort might not be as great as it should be. Breech delivery
Summary on Pitocin
If you are more than 42 weeks pregnant or if your amniotic sac has already ruptured, but your contractions haven’t begun, your healthcare practitioner may consider using Pitocin to induce labor.. It is a synthetic hormone that stimulates the body to begin labor.
If you have a bad infection of the uterus, you should take pitocin.
Nausea, vomiting, and fever are some of the potential side effects of using Pitocin. Pitocin may, in certain instances, slow down or prolong labor, which may increase the likelihood that an emergency C-section may be necessary.
Pitocin does not have dangerous side effects, such as uterine rupture or heavy bleeding.
