10. Pitocin to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage, History and Current Practices

The First 15 continues, closing out the triad of active management of the third stage of labor.  To accompany cord clamping (now delayed 60 sec), cord traction and uterine massage. Doing our part to lower maternal death, the leading cause being hemorrhaging by including not only as a treatment, but as prevention. In the hospital, most providers choose active management as their practice but fail to discuss the experience, the benefits, the risks or any other alternate options. It seems to be so routine that they do not feel it is a decision that the mother or parents need to even make. Though active management and pitocin can be a great choice for many women looking to lower her chance of hemorrhage and has had multiple interventions already, the power comes with knowledge.  I'm researching, discussing and sharing that knowledge with clients and you, so let's get into the history, date and current recommendations for pitocin and uterotonics in postpartum. Resources:Pitocin During the third Stage of Labor by Rebecca Dekker, RN and Anna Bertone MPH, Evidence Based BirthManagement of the Third Stage of Labor, Updated: Jun 03, 2024, Author: John R Smith, MD, FACOG, FRCSC; Chief Editor: Christine Isaacs, MD, MedscapePostpartum Hemorrhage: Prevention and Treatment, 2017, AAFP, Ann Evensen, MD, Janice M Anderson, MD, and Patricia Fontaine, MD, MS00:40 Breaking Water and Pitocin Orders02:18 Concerns About Early Pitocin Use04:41 Importance of Informed Consent09:45 Postpartum Pitocin and Hemorrhaging14:30 Historical Approaches to Hemorrhaging18:14 Development of Oxytocin Drugs24:35 Discovery of Oxytocin26:44 Pitocin: Synthetic Oxytocin27:23 Active Management in Labor29:50 Historical Trials and Errors32:25 Prostaglandins and Alternatives36:01 Modern Practices and Recommendations41:13 Preventing and Managing Hemorrhage45:20 Final Thoughts and Advice50:35 Upcoming Episode PreviewMore from My Friend's a Nurse:Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!Visit MyFriendsaNurse.comGrab this FREE Hospital Bag ChecklistEmail Colette directly for coaching availability and membership [email protected] you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email [email protected] Connected:InstagramTikTokFaceBook