Pitocin levels

BabyMimi

I am due on July 11 and am planning a Natural Birth. I do realize thought that things happen and the circumstance could arise that pitocin is needed. I know that many women have found out after giving birth that the pitocin was turned up too high or given too quickly.

Is there a reliable chart/article/reference out there that I can print and take to the hospital with me that has preferable pitocin levels, should one need them.

TIA 

hilwithonelary

Here is a link to the package insert for Pitocin: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=4975

This is the recommended administration: "The initial dose should be 0.5?1 mU/min (equal to 3?6 mL of the dilute oxytocin solution per hour). At 30?60 minute intervals the dose should be gradually increased in increments of 1?2 mU/min until the desired contraction pattern has been established. Once the desired frequency of contractions has been reached and labor has progressed to 5?6 cm dilation, the dose may be reduced by similar increments.

Studies of the concentrations of oxytocin in the maternal plasma during Pitocin infusion have shown that infusion rates up to 6 mU/min give the same oxytocin levels that are found in spontaneous labor. At term, higher infusion rates should be given with great care, and rates exceeding 9?10 mU/min are rarely required. Before term, when the sensitivity of the uterus is lower because of a lower concentration of oxytocin receptors, a higher infusion rate may be required."

My dose was started at 2 mU/min and increased by 2 mU/min every 15 minutes, which I believe is a very common regimen in hospitals.  It was actually the "low dose" protocol for my hospital.  I ended up at a dose much higher than 10 mU/min, as I suspect many women do. 

Although the following aren't really a resource you could use as "proof" to show your provider, I think they are worth reading and considering yourself.

https://birthsen.tmdhosting930.com/?p=587

https://birthsen.tmdhosting930.com/?p=686

BabyMimi

hilwithonelary:

Here is a link to the package insert for Pitocin: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=4975

This is the recommended administration: "The initial dose should be 0.5?1 mU/min (equal to 3?6 mL of the dilute oxytocin solution per hour). At 30?60 minute intervals the dose should be gradually increased in increments of 1?2 mU/min until the desired contraction pattern has been established. Once the desired frequency of contractions has been reached and labor has progressed to 5?6 cm dilation, the dose may be reduced by similar increments.

Studies of the concentrations of oxytocin in the maternal plasma during Pitocin infusion have shown that infusion rates up to 6 mU/min give the same oxytocin levels that are found in spontaneous labor. At term, higher infusion rates should be given with great care, and rates exceeding 9?10 mU/min are rarely required. Before term, when the sensitivity of the uterus is lower because of a lower concentration of oxytocin receptors, a higher infusion rate may be required."

My dose was started at 2 mU/min and increased by 2 mU/min every 15 minutes, which I believe is a very common regimen in hospitals.  It was actually the "low dose" protocol for my hospital.  I ended up at a dose much higher than 10 mU/min, as I suspect many women do. 

Although the following aren't really a resource you could use as "proof" to show your provider, I think they are worth reading and considering yourself.

https://birthsen.tmdhosting930.com/?p=587

https://birthsen.tmdhosting930.com/?p=686

Thanks so much. I'm trying to cover all my bases!