INTRAPARTUM PITOCIN AND BREASTFEEDING PATTERNS

Abstract

Synthetic oxytocin (OXT), also known as Pitocin, is commonly used in maternity care throughout the world, and is administered to women to induce or augment uterine contractions in labor. Due to frequent use of Pitocin in maternity care, it is critical to understand both the benefits and risks of Pitocin. Of interest, an emerging literature suggests that in addition to its positive benefits, Pitocin may also be correlated with disrupted breastfeeding patterns. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between total dosage of intrapartum Pitocin and breastfeeding patterns, defined as the amount of breastfeeding (%) vs formula feeding in the 3rd month after birth. In this study, no statistically significant correlations were found between intrapartum Pitocin dosage and subsequent breastfeeding patterns, but limited sample size and restricted range of data may have attenuated these findings. However, further statistical analysis comparing intrapartum Pitocin dosage level among high breastfeeding women at 3 months (80% or greater) with those breastfeeding less than 80% did show a statistically significant difference. Based upon these findings, further research is needed with a larger pool of participants to better understand and document the way in which intrapartum Pitocin influences breastfeeding.