Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oxytocin and the augmentation of labor

Human and medical perspectives

  • Published:
Human Nature Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

At least a third of the women giving birth in the United States receive intravenous oxytocin for the induction and augmentation of labor. The problem of inactive or ineffective labor remains a major challenge for birth attendants, midwives, and physicians who practice obstetrics. Before the discovery of oxytocin, traditional approaches to augmentation ranged from magical and folk interventions to extensive bloodletting. Despite its wide use the effectiveness of oxytocin augmentation has not been well studied, and current research raises new questions about its effect on the brain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, F., trans. 1849The Genuine Works of Hippocrates, second vol. London: Sydenham Society.

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 1978 Induction of Labor.Technical Bulletin 49. Washington, D.C.

  • 1987 Induction and Augmentation of Labor.Technical Bulletin 110. Washington, D.C.

  • Artschwanger, K. M. 1982Anthropology of Human Birth. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barber H. R. K., E. A. Graber, and A. Orlando 1972 Augmented Labor.Obstetrics and Gynecology 39:933–939.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bidgood K. A., and P. J. Steer 1987 A Randomized Control Study of Oxytocin Augmentation of Labour, 1: Obstetric Outcome.British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 94:512–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birth 1989 The Cesarian Section Rate Is 25 Per Cent and Rising. Why? What Can Be Done about It?Birth 16:118–122.

  • Brindley B. A., and R. J. Sokol 1989 Induction and Augmentation of Labor: Basis and Methods for Current Practice.Obstetric and Gynecological Survey 43:730–743.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldeyro-Barcia R., and J. A. Sereno 1961 The Response of the Human Uterus to Oxytocin throughout Pregnancy. InOxytocin, R. Caldeyro-Barcia and H. Hellman, eds. Pp. 177–199. New York: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A. B. 1956Customs and Tradition in the Royal Navy. London: Gall and Posen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chayen, B., N. Tejani, and U. Verma 1986 Induction of Labor with an Electric Breast Pump.Journal of Reproductive Medicine 31:116–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramond, W. A. 1954 Psychological Aspects of Uterine Dysfunction.Lancet 3:1241–1245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crandon, A. J. 1978 Maternal Anxiety and Obstetric Complications.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 23: 109–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Culpepper, N. 1765The English Physician Enlarged. London: S. Ballard.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, P., and N. Safransky 1988 Rethinking Oxytocin Protocols in the Augmentation of Labor.Birth 15:199–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, P., J. Resnick, and S. Evens 1986 Prepartum and Intrapartum Breast Stimulation in Obstetrics.Journal of Reproductive Medicine 31:228–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawood, M. Y. 1989 Evolving Concepts of Oxytocin for Induction of Labor.American Journal of Perinatology 6:167–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • DiSouza, S. W., P. Black, T. MacFarlane, and B. Richards 1979 The Effect of Oxytocin in Induced Labor on Neonatal Jaundice.British Medical Journal 86:133–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman, N. J. 1947 Pituitary Extract in Uterine Inertia. Is It Justifiable?American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 53:432–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenfest J. 1913 Drugs in Uterine Inertia.Transactions of the American Gynecological Society 38:334–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewood, B. G., and F. Bache, eds. 1854United States Dispensatory, tenth ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenwick, L., and P. Simkin 1987 Maternal Positioning to Prevent or Alleviate Dystocia in Labor.Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology 30:83–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, T. R. 1966The Midwife and the Witch. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, T. C.-S., J. D. Jacobsen, and G. J. Valenzuela 1988 Oxytocin Augmentation of Labor: A Comparison of 15- and 30-Minute Dose Increment Intervals.Obstetrics and Gynecology 171:147–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frazier, J. G. 1960The Golden Bough, abridged ed. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, R. K., G. Anderson, and W. Dorchester 1982 A Prospective Multi-institutional Study of Antepartum Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring, I: Risk of Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity According to Antepartum Fetal Heart Rate Test Results.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 143:177–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganten, D., and D. Pfaff 1986Neurobiology of Oxytocin. Current Topics in Neuroendocrinology Series. New York: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaskin, I. M. 1978Spiritual Midwifery. Summertown Book.

  • Hauth, J. C., G. D. Hankins, L. C. Gilstrap, M. Strickland, and P. Vance 1986 Uterine Contraction Pressures with Oxytocin Induction/Augmentation.Obstetrics and Gynecology 68:305–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellman, L., J. S. Harris, and S. R. Reynolds 1950 Intravenous Pituitary Extract in Labor with Data on Patterns of Uterine Contractility.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 59:41–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendricks, C. H., and R. A. Gabel 1960 Use of Intranasal Oxytocin in Obstetrics.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 79:780–785.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henneborn, W. J., and R. Cogan 1975 The Effect of Husband Participation on Reported Pain and Probability of Medication during Labor and Birth.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 19:215–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jameson, E. M. 1938 Eighteenth Century Obstetrics and Obstetricians in the United States.Annals of Medical History 413–428.

  • Jihrad, A., and T. Vago 1973 Induction of Labor by Breast Stimulation.Obstetrics and Gynecology 41:347–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kierse, M. J. N. C. 1989 Augmentation of Labour. InEffective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth, I. Chalmers, M. Enkin, and M. J. N. C. Kierse, eds. Pp. 951–966. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kierse, M. J. N. C., M. Enkin, and J. Lumley 1989 Social and Professional Support during Childbirth. InEffective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth, I. Chalmers, M. Enkin, and M. J. N. C. Kierse, eds. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaus, M. H., J. H. Kennell, S. S. Robertson, and A. Sosa 1986 Effects of Social Support during Parturition on Maternal and Infant Morbidity.British Medical Journal 293:585–587.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leinzinger, E., and A. Rainer 1954 Die Bilaterale Selbstfriktion der Brustwarzenbereiches zur Anregung der Wehentatigkeit.Klinische Medizin 3:127–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levert, M. 1776Essai sur les Accouchements. Paris.

  • Lumley, J. 1988 Commentary.Birth 15:204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liston, W. A., and A. J. Campbell 1974 Dangers of Oxytocin-induced Labour to Fetuses.British Medical Journal 3:606–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackenzie, D. 1927The Infancy of Medicine. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medical News and Library 1850 Observations in Clinical Obstetrics. Reprint of editorial fromNew York Medical Gazette. Medical News and Library (October):83–84.

  • Merriman, S. 1839A Synopsis of the Various Kinds of Difficult Parturition. London: J. Churchill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreau, F. J. 1830Manuel des Sages Femmes. Paris: Gernier-Bailliere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphree, A. H. 1968 A Functional Analysis of Southern Folk Beliefs Concerning Birth.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 102:125–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Center for Health Statistics 1980 National Natality Survey. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton, N. 1973 Interrelationships between Sexual Responsiveness, Birth and Breast Feeding. InContemporary Sexual Behavior, J. Zubin and J. Money, eds. Pp. 77–98. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1987 The Fetus Ejection Reflex Revisited.Birth 14:106–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odent, M. 1984Birth Reborn. New York: Pantheon Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Driscoll, K., and D. Meagher 1980Active Management of Labour. London: W. B. Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Driscoll, K., J. Stronge, and M. Minogue 1973 Active Management of Labor.British Medical Journal 3:135–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, C.A., J. D. Caldwell, and G. F. Jirikowski 1988 Oxytocin and Reproductive Behaviors. InRecent Progress in Posterior Pituitary Hormones, S. Yoshida and L. Share, eds. New York: Elsevier Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perret, L. 1879Erreurs, Superstitions, Doctrines Medicales. Paris: J.-B. Bailliere et Fils.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ploss, H., M. Bartels, and P. Bartels 1935Woman: An Historical, Gynecological and Anthropological Compendium. London: Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poulain, D. A., and J. B. Wakerley 1982 Electrophysiology of Hypothalamic Magnocellular Neurones Secreting Oxytocin and Vasopressin.Neuroscience 7:773–778.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsbotham, J. 1844The Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine and Surgery. London.

  • Salmon, Y. M., W. H. Kee, S. L. Tan, and S. W. Jen 1986 Cervical Ripening by Breast STimulation.Obstetrics and Gynecology 67:21–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salzmann, K. D. 1971 An Emergency Source of Oxytocin in Labour.Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners 21:282–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seitchik, J., J. A. Amico, and M. Castillo 1985 Oxytocin Augmentation of Dysfunctional Labor: An Alternative Oxytocin Regimen.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 151:757–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddall, C. A. 1980 Bloodletting in American Obstetric Practice: 1800–1945.Bulletin of the History of Medicine 54:101–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J. Y. Sir 1855Obstetric Memories and Contributions, W. O. Priestley and H. R. Stover, eds. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Block.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sogolow, S. R. 1964 An Historical Review of the Use of Oxytocin Prior to Delivery.Obstetrics and Gynecological Survey 7:155–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Speert, H. 1973Iconographia Gynecologia. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steer, P. J., M. C. Carter, and R. W. Beard 1985 The Effect of Oxytocin Infusion on Uterine Activity Levels in Slow Labour.British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 92:1120–1126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, M. 1920The Rites of the Twice Born. London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theobald, G. W. 1961 Oxytocin Reassessed.Obstetrics and Gynecology Survey 23:109–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 1983 The Separate Release of Oxytocin and Antidiuretic Hormone.Journal of Physiology 149:443–461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, M. 1988 Unexplained Differences in First Stage Labor Duration in Primiparas at North American and European Hospitals.Birth 15:205–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toaff, M. E., J. Hexroni, and R. Toaff 1978 Induction of Labor by Pharmacological and Physiological Doses of Intravenous Oxytocin.British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 85:101–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J., M. Brassil, and H. Gordon 1988 Active Management of Labor Associated with a Decrease in the Caesarian Section Rate in Nulliparas.Obstetrics and Gynecology 71:150–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uvnas-Moberg, K. 1989 Physiological and Psychological Effects of Oxytocin and Prolactin in Connection with Motherhood with Special Reference to Food Intake and the Endocrine System of the Gut.Acta Physiologica Scandanavia 136 (Supplement 583):41–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiner, M. A. 1980Weiner’s Herbal: The Guide to Herbal Medicine. New York: Stein and Day.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilde, W. R. 1849 A Short Account of the Superstitions and Popular Practices Relating to Midwifery and Some of the Diseases of Women and Children in Ireland.Monmouth Journal of Medical Science 101:711–726.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witkowski, G. J. 1844Historie des Accoucheurs chez tous les Peuples. Paris: G. Steinheil.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, 27599-7595, Chapel Hill, NC

    Peter Curtis

Authors
  1. Peter Curtis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Peter Curtis is a professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also Director of Fellowships and Director of the Institute for the Generalist Physician. His interests include low back pain, alternative medicine, cervical cancer, and human papillomavirus.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Curtis, P. Oxytocin and the augmentation of labor. Human Nature 4, 351–366 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02692246

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02692246

Key words

Search

Navigation