ree Balaji College of Nursing, Chrompet, Chennai, India
Abstract: Oxytocin is the drug more commonly used for mother during first stage of labour for the purpose of
induction and progression of labour process .At the same time ,misuse of oxytocin administrations results in
serious adverse effects to mother and baby .Hence to have the guidelines for safe delivery, protocol for oxytocin
induction was developed .
Key words: Oxytocin, Medical induction, Maternal and fetal ill effects, Protocol for oxytocin induction.
I. Introduction
Childbirth is a most pleasurable event to the mother at the same time it is also a life-threatening event
to her. Hence, ensuring safe childbirth is the responsibility of a maternity nurse by promoting and preserving the
health of the mother and fetus from conception to childbirth. To ensure safe delivery, various measures have
been used when needed to induce labour. They are two kind of induction-medical induction and surgical
induction.
Medical Induction
Oxytocin is the drug administered intravenously which is more commonly used for the mother during
the first stage of labour for the purpose of induction and progression of labour process. Another induction
method is a cervical application of Cytotec Gel. It is used to soften the cervix in the preparation of induction.
Dunn (1990), stated “Intravenous administration of oxytocin helps in an effective method of initiating
uterine contractions to induce labour. Its effect on uterine contraction depends upon the dosage used”.
Chemistry Of Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a short neuropeptide consisting of 9 amino acids residue with disulphide bond between two
cysetine residue in position 1&6
It is secreted by posterior pituitary along with ADH Pituitary extract was first used in labour in
1909.Vigneaud in 1963 separated oxytocin and ADH.Both are synthesized in supra optic and Para ventricular
nuclei of hypothalamus and stored in nerve in neurohypophysis endings. It circulates in an unbound form
cleared from maternal circulation by kidney and liver. Oxytocin was the first polypeptide hormone synthesized
and in 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for this to Vigneuad and co workers.
Action Of Oxytocin During Labour
Oxytocin is a hormone naturally released from the posterior pituitary gland. Synthetic preparations of
oxytocin are also available under the trade name as syntocin or pitocin. Oxytocin drugs, act on the oxytocin
receptor sites in the myometrial cells of the uterus and the uterine blood vessels and causes excitability of the
myometerial cells, increasing the strength of the muscle contraction and supporting propagation of the
contraction (movement of the contraction from one myometrial cell to the next) which helps in improving the
labour progress.
Physiology Of Labour
When a woman goes into natural labour, her baby initiates labour. Thus when the baby is “ready”,
contractions start and they will stronger and longer as time goes on. If the baby is finding it difficult, labour