Naomi said,

> This is not my expertise, but it is my understanding that it is not
> the pitocin itself that causes the edema, rather it is the fluid through
> which the pitocin is administered.

Pitocin is an "anti-diuretic" which is why if too much is administered too
fast, a woman can suffer from water intoxication.  That is also why it holds
fluid in the system.  So while the amount of fluid a mom gets with Pitocin may
not cause the problem, you generally see the edema with the massive amounts of
fluids mom is getting with the epidural.  How that squares w/ a half life of 3
minutes is anyone's guess, except that mom is getting the Pit
continuously....perhaps it builds up...or perhaps the antidiuretic effect lasts longer???

Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, RLC
Wheaton, Illinois
www.lactationeducationconsultants.com

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