Oxytocin Infusion
BASICS: DOSAGE:
• For augmenting labour, during or following • 10iu into 500mls Hartmann’s Solution
PPH to contract uterus • Infusion starts at 6ml per hour increasing
• POM, Midwives exemptions by 50% every 30 minutes
• Ampoules - 5 units or 10 units • Needs yellow label on bag and in notes
• Dosage as per trust protocol
• IV infusion, IM injection
CONTRAINDICATIONS: CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• Not within 6 hours of prostaglandin ad- • Cord prolapse
ministration
• Grande multiparity
• If membranes are intact
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertonic uterine contractions
• Predisposition to uterine rupture
• Low lying placenta
• Polyhydramnios
• Non-vaginal delivery
• IUD
• Fetal distress
• Meconium-stained liquor
• Severe pre-eclampsia
SIDE EFFECTS: PHARMACODYNAMICS:
• Uterine spasm • Synthetic form of naturally made hormone
oxytocin
• Uterine hyperstimulation - over 5-6
contractions in 10 minutes • Causes the smooth muscle of the uterus
• Antidiuretic causing water intoxication to contract by stimulating it.
• In low doses it causes rhythmical
• Nausea + vomiting
contractions
• Anaphylaxis
• In high doses it causes hypertonic,
• Placental abruption
stained contractions
BASICS: DOSAGE:
• For augmenting labour, during or following • 10iu into 500mls Hartmann’s Solution
PPH to contract uterus • Infusion starts at 6ml per hour increasing
• POM, Midwives exemptions by 50% every 30 minutes
• Ampoules - 5 units or 10 units • Needs yellow label on bag and in notes
• Dosage as per trust protocol
• IV infusion, IM injection
CONTRAINDICATIONS: CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• Not within 6 hours of prostaglandin ad- • Cord prolapse
ministration
• Grande multiparity
• If membranes are intact
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertonic uterine contractions
• Predisposition to uterine rupture
• Low lying placenta
• Polyhydramnios
• Non-vaginal delivery
• IUD
• Fetal distress
• Meconium-stained liquor
• Severe pre-eclampsia
SIDE EFFECTS: PHARMACODYNAMICS:
• Uterine spasm • Synthetic form of naturally made hormone
oxytocin
• Uterine hyperstimulation - over 5-6
contractions in 10 minutes • Causes the smooth muscle of the uterus
• Antidiuretic causing water intoxication to contract by stimulating it.
• In low doses it causes rhythmical
• Nausea + vomiting
contractions
• Anaphylaxis
• In high doses it causes hypertonic,
• Placental abruption
stained contractions
