Picture the scene, a woman is experiencing a labour that is not progressing despite other induction attempts, or maybe labour has slowed, it is not “progressing” as fast as she or the medical professionals around her might like. And so someone suggests “a little bit of oxytocin” to help her along. It all sounds very innocent and helpful doesn’t it? Perhaps you’ve even heard those words yourself?

Any woman who has invested time in preparing for birth will know the importance of natural oxytocin, how it is produced when you are feeling calm and safe, how it is required for the uterus to contract and for your baby to be born, how production slows down if you feel unsafe or panicked.

But syntocinon is not oxytocin. However it is most frequently referred to in NHS and NICE guidelines as oxytocin. In fact as far as I can see, it is one of the only drugs in the pregnancy and labour journey which is not referred to by its proper medical name.

What are the basic differences between oxytocin and syntocinon?

• Oxytocin is produced naturally, syntocinon is administered via an IV drip
• Oxytocin has a positive effect on body and mind, syntocinon does not improve mental state
• Some research states that administration of syntocinon leads to a lesser likelihood of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

Medical Glow-Up

In my opinion syntocinon is getting a massive glow up by being referred to as oxytocin.

Yes, syntocinon can speed up labour but the result of that is often that the woman experiences much more intense and painful contractions. Which in itself can lead to further fear and disruption of her ability to stay in a calm and positive state of mind. In fact a recent study confirmed that syntocinon can increase maternal pain and stress:

Infusions of synthetic oxytocin in labour change uterine contraction patterns. This may influence uterine blood flow and maternal autonomic nervous system activity, potentially harming the fetus and increasing maternal pain and stress.

Buckley, S., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Pajalic, Z. et al. Maternal and newborn plasma oxytocin levels in response to maternal synthetic oxytocin administration during labour, birth and postpartum – a systematic review with implications for the function of the oxytocinergic system. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 137 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05221-w

Consquences of Accepting Synthetic Oxytocin

The NHS website states that “oxytocin can make your contractions stronger and more regular and can start to work quite quickly, so your midwife will talk to you about your options for pain relief. You will also need electronic monitoring to check your baby is coping with the contractions, as well as regular vaginal examinations to check the drip is working.”

So straight away the “little bit of oxytocin” can lead to:

💊 further pain relief
📈monitoring – which unless there is wireless monitoring available means you are strapped up to a machine and not able to move so freely
☝️someone regularly sticking their fingers inside you to monitor your progress

I don’t know about you but none of those things would be conducive to me feeling relaxed and ready to birth a baby!

Don’t get me wrong, as with all medical interventions syntocinon can be useful in certain circumstances and we would hope that the medical professionals involved in a birth would clearly explain the benefits and risks to any intervention. While we’re on that subject, let’s take a look at the benefits and risks.

Benefits of using synthetic oxytocin:

• Increased frequency and strength of contractions
• Reduction in labour length
• Evidence to suggest reduction in likelihood of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

Risks of using synthetic oxytocin:

• Increased frequency and strength of contractions
• Contractions and baby’s heartbeat will be monitored continuously using cardiotocography leading to reduced movement for mother
• Can cause arrhythmias, headaches, nausea and vomiting
• Uterine hyperstimulation -usually with excessive doses—may cause fetal distress, asphyxia, and death, or may lead to hypertonicity, tetanic contractions, soft-tissue damage or uterine rupture.

I could talk about this all day but the bottom line is this is just one of many issues around birth where we need to do our own research – educate yourself, make informed choices, stick with your instincts.

And if you want to feel supported through this journey please get in touch, I offer 121 support for couples who want to prepare for birth and be clear and confident on their birth choices.

Further Reading

• Dr Sara Wickham’s Website – https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/oxytocin-and-birth-the-latest-evidence/
• Dr Sara Wickham – Inducing Labour, In Your Own Time
• Buckley, S., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Pajalic, Z. et al. Maternal and newborn plasma oxytocin levels in response to maternal synthetic oxytocin administration during labour, birth and postpartum – a systematic review with implications for the function of the oxytocinergic system. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 137 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05221-w
• Dr Rachel Reed – Why Induction Matters
• The AIMS Guide to Induction of Labour
• The Positive Birth Book