Synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) is used to induce or augment labor.

It may be used in patients with gestational hypertension, prolonged gestation, maternal diabetes, Rh sensitization, premature or prolonged rupture of membranes, and incomplete or inevitable abortion.

It’s also used to evaluate for fetal distress after 31 weeks’ gestation and to control bleeding and enhance uterine contractions after the placenta is delivered.

Oxytocin is always given I.V. with an infusion pump.

During the infusion, fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions are checked every 20 minutes.

Administration set for primary I.V. line

Infusion pump and tubing

I.V. solution, as ordered

External or internal electronic monitoring equipment

Oxytocin

20-gauge 1″ needle

Label

Venipuncture equipment

Prepare the oxytocin solution as ordered and label the I.V. container appropriately.

Explain the procedure and rationale to the patient.

Wash your hands and follow standard precautions.

Insert the tubing of the administration set through the infusion pump, and set the pump to administer the oxytocin according to facility policy.

Set up the equipment for electronic fetal monitoring.

Assist the patient to a lateral tilt position and support her hip with a pillow.

Identify and record the FHR and assess uterine contractions occurring in a 20-minute period.

Start a primary I.V. line if one isn’t already in place.

Piggyback the oxytocin infusion to the primary I.V. line at the Y-injection site closest to the patient.

Begin the oxytocin infusion at the prescribed rate. The typical recommended starting dose is 0.5 to 1.0 mU/minute. The maximum dosage of oxytocin is 20 to 40 mU/minute.

Because oxytocin begins acting immediately, be prepared to start monitoring uterine contractions.

Increase oxytocin dosage as ordered.