Evidence supporting the use of: Oxytocin
For the health condition: Labor and Delivery

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Oxytocin is widely used in modern obstetrics to support and manage labor and delivery, with strong scientific validation for its effectiveness. Oxytocin is a peptide hormone naturally produced by the posterior pituitary gland, and it plays a key physiological role in stimulating uterine contractions during labor and facilitating milk ejection during lactation. Synthetic oxytocin (commonly known by the brand name Pitocin) is administered intravenously to induce or augment labor in cases where labor is not progressing adequately or when it is medically necessary to initiate delivery (such as in cases of post-term pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, or certain maternal or fetal conditions).

Multiple high-quality randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that oxytocin effectively increases the frequency and strength of uterine contractions, thereby shortening the duration of labor and reducing the need for operative delivery in some cases. The World Health Organization, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other major medical bodies endorse its use for labor induction and augmentation based on robust evidence. Oxytocin is also routinely used after delivery to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage by promoting uterine contraction and minimizing blood loss.

Overall, the use of oxytocin in labor and delivery is underpinned by extensive clinical research and decades of medical practice, making it one of the most scientifically validated interventions in obstetrics.

More about Oxytocin
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Products containing Oxytocin

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