In a post on 9 December, Peg Merrill tells of a mother who believed she was
given 'oxytocin pills' for two days for excessive late postpartum bleeding.

Oxytocin is not absorbed in the GI tract.  It doesn't make it through the
acid of the stomach.  It can be absorbed over mucous membranes.
There used to be oxytocin tablets for buccal application but as far as I
know they disappeared from the face of the earth about 13 years ago.  They
were used to augment labor.

As Peg says, it was more likely methergin this lady was taking, and
methergin has indeed been known to depress milk secretion.  The effect
should cease when the mother ceases the medication.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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