Oxytocin to strengthen contractions
Common, useful, and it changes the risk profile of a labor after cesarean.
Synthetic oxytocin makes contractions stronger and more regular. It matters specifically for a cesarean decision in two ways: contractions that come too close together leave the baby less recovery time and can change the monitor tracing, and if you are attempting labor after a previous cesarean, rupture risk is lowest in spontaneous labor and higher with oxytocin.
Where this comes from:
269. Landon MB, Hauth JC, Leveno KJ, Spong CY, Leindecker S, Varner MW, et al. Maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with a trial of labor after prior cesarean delivery. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(25):2581-2589.
287. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 205. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;133(2):e110-e127.
Covered in the essential classes
Continue
More from Labor
This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you. If you are worried about a symptom now, see urgent warning signs.