How many days is oxytocin usually administered?

Under normal circumstances, giving birth after ten months of pregnancy is a very happy thing. However, some pregnant women have passed their due date and have no signs of giving birth. At this time, they usually need to go to the hospital for induction of labor. Oxytocin is usually used for induction of labor. Some women also need to take oxytocin during this period because their uterus does not contract well after abortion or delivery. How long does oxytocin usually take?

How many days do you usually take oxytocin?

Generally, 2 to 3 days of oxytocin injections are enough, and at the same time, intravenous fluids and oral anti-inflammatory drugs are required for 3 to 5 days to prevent local infection of the uterus.

What is Oxytocin

Oxytocin is an artificially synthesized drug that does not contain vasopressin and therefore has no pressor effect. Clinically, it is mainly used for induction of labor, antepartum uterine atony, postpartum hemorrhage and incomplete uterine involution. Oxytocin is a 9-peptide hormone synthesized by the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and in small amounts by the supraoptic nucleus, secreted, and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. It differs from ADH only in the amino acids at positions 3 and 8. Its physiological function is to promote the contraction of uterine, mammary myoepithelial cells and seminiferous tubule smooth muscles. In addition, it can promote corpus luteum degeneration, has a sodium-diluting effect, and promotes the transport of sperm from the vagina to the fallopian tube.

Precautions for using oxytocin

Oxytocin should not be used when spontaneous or vaginal delivery is likely to result in harm to the mother or fetus. This includes the following situations:

Obvious fetal head and pelvic disproportion or malposition, placenta previa or vasa previa, placental laceration, umbilical cord presentation or prolapse, mechanical obstruction of the birth canal, fetal distress, or uterine hypertonic contractions. It should not be used in patients with a predisposition to uterine rupture, such as multiple pregnancy or multiparity, polyhydramnios, or scarring from a previous cesarean section. Oxytocin should not be used long-term in patients with refractory uterine atony, severe pre-eclampsia, or severe cardiovascular disease.

When used to induce labor and promote delivery, patients with borderline cephalopelvic disproportion, less severe cardiovascular disease, age over 35 years, or other high-risk factors require intensive monitoring. The fetal heart rate and uterine movements need to be closely monitored, and the oxytocin dose should be adjusted according to the individual response. Intravenous infusion is preferred, using an infusion pump. If fetal distress or uterine overcontraction occurs, the drug should be stopped immediately.

For patients with intrauterine fetal death or amniotic fluid contaminated with meconium, excessive uterine contractions during delivery should be avoided, otherwise the risk of amniotic fluid embolism will increase.

The risk of water intoxication should always be kept in mind, especially with high-dose, long-term use of oxytocin. Reduce the amount of infusion, choose solutions containing electrolytes, and do not use glucose solutions. Limit oral fluid intake, record fluid intake and output, and measure electrolytes promptly if electrolyte imbalance is suspected.