3.5. Use of oxytocin during the second stage of labor
Intramuscular oxytocin administration before delivery is contraindicated.
Intravenous oxytocin should be administered only according
to a health facility protocol (describing indications, dose, and intravenous
route) by a trained care provider. A typical intravenous oxytocin
infusion regime for labor augmentation is described by the World
Health Organization (WHO) (P-22, Table P-7). It should be
noted that infusions based on counting drops in the intravenous giving
set can result in highly inaccurate oxytocin dosing, and where an
infusion pump is not available the resulting contraction frequency
and strength should be observed especially carefully to avoid
hyperstimulation. Where the contractions are poor and the fetal presentation,
position, and heart rate have been confirmed as normal,
the use of oxytocin infusion may reduce the need for instrumental
vaginal delivery