Dear Lactnet Friends:

It is rare for a woman in my City to deliver without having received
intravenous synthetic oxytocin (aka Pitocin). Now, here's a new study
looking at the impact of intrapartum synthetic oxytocin.

Abstract

*Aim: * To investigate the effect intrapartum oxytocin administration can
have on Primitive Neonatal Reflexes. The secondary objective was to observe
the influence of intrapartum oxytocin may have on breastfeeding.

*Methods: * Twenty healthy primiparae with a single gestation at term were
included. To assess Primitive Neonatal Reflexes, video film was taken
during an experimental situation designed to elicit Primitive Neonatal
Reflexes. Three independent observers blinded to the oxytocin dose that had
been administered coded the Primitive Neonatal Reflexes. Data regarding
breastfeeding were collected by telephone at 3 months.

*Results: * Medium oxytocin dose was 1931.9 ± 1754.4 mUI. A Kappa index
>0.75 was obtained for four Primitive Neonatal Reflexes: swallow, jaw jerk,
suck and gazing. A negative association was found between oxytocin dose and
sucking (p* = 0.03*). At 3 months of life, women exclusively breastfeeding
(63.1%) had received a significantly lower average dose of oxytocin than
those not exclusively breastfeeding (36.8%) (p* = *0.04). (NIKKI HERE, IN
CAPITAL LETTERS TO DISTINGUISH FROM THE ABSTRACT: I DON'T UNDERSTAND
THIS...IF SHE IS NOT EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEEDING, OF COURSE HER OXYTOCIN
LEVELS WOULD BE LOWER...)

*Conclusion: * In this pilot study, intrapartum exogenous oxytocin seems to
disturb sucking and breastfeeding duration. Further studies are required to
confirm these results and to ascertain whether there could be other effects
of intrapartum oxytocin on newborn behaviour.
warmly,
-- 
Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
craniosacral therapy practitioner
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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