Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeRisksComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
Risks
Complications
Pitocin (oxytocin injection) is a synthetic form ofoxytocin.Oxytocinis ahormonethat causes theuterusto contract.It is given through an intravenous (IV) line to induce (start) or augment (speed up) contractions duringlabor.
This article will discuss Pitocin, including its purpose, risks, and complications.
Ariel Skelley / Getty Images
Pitocin (oxytocin injection) is given intravenously as a method of labor induction, typically at least 39 weeks into pregnancy.You may be given medication first to “ripen” yourcervix(the lower part of the uterus) and prepare you for labor.
If you’ve already gone into labor naturally and aren’t progressing, your healthcare provider may give you Pitocin to speed up your contractions.Usually, Pitocin starts to stimulate contractions within about 30 minutes.
How Many People Are Given Pitocin During Labor?Estimates suggest that about 22% of pregnant people in the United States have their labor induced, often with a medication like Pitocin.
How Many People Are Given Pitocin During Labor?
Estimates suggest that about 22% of pregnant people in the United States have their labor induced, often with a medication like Pitocin.
There are many possible medical reasons forlabor induction. Your healthcare provider may recommend Pitocin if:
Pitocin may be administered on its own to induce or speed up labor contractions.Injectable oxytocin may also be used alongside other methods of labor induction, such as rupturing theamniotic sac(the sac that contains amniotic fluid and protects thefetusduring pregnancy).
What Do Contractions Feel Like?
When used for medical reasons, Pitocin is typically safe and effective for both the pregnant person and fetus.Side effects of Pitocin may include:
Because of the possible risks of an elective induction (an induction of labor for convenience or personal preference), you should ideally be given Pitocin only if it is medically necessary.
Who Should Not Be Given Pitocin?
In certain cases, it may not be safe to induce labor with Pitocin. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you have a C-section instead if certain conditions are present, such as:
While rare, some serious medical complications are possible when using Pitocin to induce labor. Severe complications from Pitocin may include:
In very rare cases, Pitocin may cause fetal distress, fetal health complications, orstillbirth.
If you experience any side effects from Pitocin, let your healthcare provider know right away. They can decrease your dose or give you other medications to help to control your symptoms.
What Is Uterine Rupture?
Summary
Pitocin (oxytocin injection) is a synthetic form of oxytocin—a hormone that stimulates the uterus. It is given intravenously to start or speed up labor contractions during childbirth.
Your healthcare provider may recommend using Pitocin to induce labor if you are more than 42 weeks pregnant or if your amniotic sac has already ruptured but your contractions haven’t started.
They may also recommend Pitocin due to certain medical conditions, such as a uterine infection, gestational diabetes,high blood pressure, restricted fetal growth, problems with the placenta, or problems with your major organs.
Side effects from Pitocin may include nausea, vomiting, and fever. In some cases, Pitocin may increase the risk of an emergency C-section. Serious complications from Pitocin, such as uterine rupture or excessive bleeding, are rare.
A Word From Verywell
When medically necessary, Pitocin can be a safe, effective way to induce labor. If you’re concerned about the potential side effects of Pitocin, talk to your healthcare provider as early as possible in your pregnancy.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Oxytocin injection.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Labor.MedlinePlus.Inducing labor.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.Nemours KidsHealth.Inducing labor.Daly D, Minnie KCS, Blignaut A, et al.How much synthetic oxytocin is infused during labour? A review and analysis of regimens used in 12 countries.PLoS One. 2020;15(7):e0227941. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227941Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy: fetus in utero.Hidalgo-Lopezosa P, Hidalgo-Maestre M, Rodríguez-Borrego MA.Labor stimulation with oxytocin: effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2016;24:e2744. doi:10.1590/1518-8345.0765.2744The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cesarean birth.Cheong JL, Doyle LW, Burnett AC, et al.Association between moderate and late preterm birth and neurodevelopment and social-emotional development at age 2 years.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(4):e164805. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.4805Brahmawar Mohan S, Sommerfelt H, Frøen JF, et al.Antenatal uterotonics as a risk factor for intrapartum stillbirth and first-day death in Haryana, India: a nested case-control study.Epidemiology. 2020;31(5):668-676. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000001224
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Oxytocin injection.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Labor.MedlinePlus.Inducing labor.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.Nemours KidsHealth.Inducing labor.Daly D, Minnie KCS, Blignaut A, et al.How much synthetic oxytocin is infused during labour? A review and analysis of regimens used in 12 countries.PLoS One. 2020;15(7):e0227941. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227941Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy: fetus in utero.Hidalgo-Lopezosa P, Hidalgo-Maestre M, Rodríguez-Borrego MA.Labor stimulation with oxytocin: effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2016;24:e2744. doi:10.1590/1518-8345.0765.2744The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cesarean birth.Cheong JL, Doyle LW, Burnett AC, et al.Association between moderate and late preterm birth and neurodevelopment and social-emotional development at age 2 years.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(4):e164805. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.4805Brahmawar Mohan S, Sommerfelt H, Frøen JF, et al.Antenatal uterotonics as a risk factor for intrapartum stillbirth and first-day death in Haryana, India: a nested case-control study.Epidemiology. 2020;31(5):668-676. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000001224
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Oxytocin injection.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Labor.MedlinePlus.Inducing labor.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.Nemours KidsHealth.Inducing labor.Daly D, Minnie KCS, Blignaut A, et al.How much synthetic oxytocin is infused during labour? A review and analysis of regimens used in 12 countries.PLoS One. 2020;15(7):e0227941. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227941Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy: fetus in utero.Hidalgo-Lopezosa P, Hidalgo-Maestre M, Rodríguez-Borrego MA.Labor stimulation with oxytocin: effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2016;24:e2744. doi:10.1590/1518-8345.0765.2744The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cesarean birth.Cheong JL, Doyle LW, Burnett AC, et al.Association between moderate and late preterm birth and neurodevelopment and social-emotional development at age 2 years.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(4):e164805. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.4805Brahmawar Mohan S, Sommerfelt H, Frøen JF, et al.Antenatal uterotonics as a risk factor for intrapartum stillbirth and first-day death in Haryana, India: a nested case-control study.Epidemiology. 2020;31(5):668-676. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000001224
MedlinePlus.Oxytocin injection.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Labor.
MedlinePlus.Inducing labor.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.
Nemours KidsHealth.Inducing labor.
Daly D, Minnie KCS, Blignaut A, et al.How much synthetic oxytocin is infused during labour? A review and analysis of regimens used in 12 countries.PLoS One. 2020;15(7):e0227941. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227941
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anatomy: fetus in utero.
Hidalgo-Lopezosa P, Hidalgo-Maestre M, Rodríguez-Borrego MA.Labor stimulation with oxytocin: effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2016;24:e2744. doi:10.1590/1518-8345.0765.2744
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cesarean birth.
Cheong JL, Doyle LW, Burnett AC, et al.Association between moderate and late preterm birth and neurodevelopment and social-emotional development at age 2 years.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(4):e164805. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.4805
Brahmawar Mohan S, Sommerfelt H, Frøen JF, et al.Antenatal uterotonics as a risk factor for intrapartum stillbirth and first-day death in Haryana, India: a nested case-control study.Epidemiology. 2020;31(5):668-676. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000001224
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