Oxytocin is a hormone that is endogenously synthetized by the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, stored and secreted from the neurohypophysis, and cleaved by oxytokinase, which is secreted by the placenta (syncytotrophoblast). This hormone is uterotonic and it is capable of producing uterine contractions during the final stage of pregnancy. Synthetic oxytocin is used in labor induction. It has been indicated, fundamentally, in the treatment of labor dystocia. Inadequate administration of this drug in the induction of labor has led to the emergence of multiple maternal-fetal complications, including uterine hyperstimulation, uterine tachysystole, abnormal fetal heart rate, fetal distress, chorioamnionitis, uterine rupture, induction failure, among others. The objective of this study is to carry out a review of the national and international medical literature, specifically related to obstetrics and gynecology, regarding the effects of intravenous administration of synthetic oxytocin in the induction of labor. Specialized information was collected from articles, books, studies, and journals, published mostly in the last 10 years. It is concluded that that, as long as this drug is administered at low doses (0.5-2 mU/min), its possible complications decrease significantly, compared with its use at high doses (4-6 mU/min), allowing this protocol to be characterized as a safe clinical practice for its patients.

Author Name: Carvallo D, Martínez E

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Keywords: Induction of labor; obstetric labor complications; oxytocin.

ISSN: 2542-3428

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