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 *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome