Jan B.,
The reason pitocin does not work as an abortifacient in early pregnancy is
that the oxytocin receptors on the uterus proliferate at term to prevent just
such an occurence.  This is why some women being induced need much larger
doses of pit than others, the more receptors, the smaller the dose needed to
be effective.  This is why I love the prolactin receptor theory (demand causes
proliferation of prolactin receptors in the first 6 weeks or so of lactation,
so when prolactin levels drop at about 6 weeks, there is still enough to
maintain lactation.)  This theory simultaneously explains why early and freq
nursing builds a good supply and why some infants have mystery weight gain
difficulties after doing okay for the first few weeks.
Nice how everything works together perfectly, huh?
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]