{"id":15928,"date":"2022-10-28T16:06:17","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T21:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturalwomanhood.org\/?p=15928"},"modified":"2025-04-14T16:57:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T21:57:47","slug":"oxytocine-vs-pitocine-quelle-est-la-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalwomanhood.org\/fr\/oxytocin-vs-pitocin-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Le m\u00e9dicament de d\u00e9clenchement Pitocin n'est pas le m\u00eame que l'ocytocine naturelle : Quelques mises en garde pour les futures mamans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A nationwide shortage<\/a> of Pitocin, the intravenous (IV) medicine given to induce labor by mimicking oxytocin\u2019s natural contraction-stimulating effects, is leading many hospitals<\/a> to cancel elective labor inductions, reserving the medication for medically necessary use only. The shortage is expected to be brief, but it raises important questions about the risks vs. benefits of routine elective inductions, particularly in light of research<\/a> suggesting that it is the baby who initiates spontaneous labor when he or she is ready [1]. I won\u2019t address all the aspects of this controversial topic, but instead will focus here on explaining the difference between Pitocin and oxytocin and the risks of Pitocin use. I\u2019ll also pose some questions about possible implications for moms and babies from Pitocin-induced labor compared to spontaneous labor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is Pitocin given, and how many women receive it?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I covered the many important functions of the naturally-occurring hormone oxytocin here<\/a>. Synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin or Syntocinon), which is chemically the same as natural oxytocin, is used to induce labor, to strengthen contractions if labor has \u201cstalled\u201d (also known as dysfunctional labor), and to speed up the delivery of the placenta (the third stage of labor) to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data<\/a> from 2020, 31% of labors were induced, though the data did not specify how many were elective versus medically indicated. This number could be even higher \u2013 a 2013 survey revealed that 41% of mothers felt pressured to be induced by their provider [2].\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pitocin side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Labor induction is a necessary intervention in certain cases \u2013 in cases of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, for example, or if the mother\u2019s water breaks but labor has not begun within 24-48 hours \u2013 but as with any medication there are also real risks<\/a> associated with being induced, or with using synthetic oxytocin to speed up labor. Pitocin is actually one of only a small number of medications considered a High-Alert medicine<\/a>, meaning that misuse can cause severe harm to mom and\/or baby. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)\u2019s product label<\/a> notes that even with appropriate use<\/em>, harm to the mom and\/or baby are still possible. \u201cEven with proper administration and adequate supervision, hypertonic contractions [too strong contractions] can occur in patients whose uteri are hypersensitive to oxytocin.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The label<\/a> cautions \u201cMaternal deaths due to hypertensive [high blood pressure] episodes, subarachnoid hemorrhage [brain bleed], rupture of the uterus, and fetal deaths due to various causes have been reported associated with the use of parenteral oxytocic drugs for induction of labor or for augmentation in the first and second stages of labor.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The label<\/a> lists the following as possible adverse effects on the mom: <\/p>\n\n\n\n