- Medical procedures seriously interfere with the release of Oxytocin.
- Synthetic Oxytocin (Syntocinon or Pitocin (USA)) used induce or augment (speed up) labour
- Counter-productive
- Injected directly into the blood stream & ‘forces’ the uterus to contract, sadly the brain doesn’t get the feedback messaging to produce more natural Oxytocin (carrying its own analgesic effect).
FOR LABOUR PROGRESS
= SYNTOCIN DOSE INCREASED = MORE INTENSE CONTRACTIONS
(without the usual hormonal support).
Hyper-stimulation of the uterus (no rest between contractions – hard for baby & mother) and the mother’s natural Oxytocin receptors can become de-sensitised.
Pain relief may be required & could result in prolonged pushing increasing the risk of an instrumental birth and/or post-partum hemorrhage.