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The effect of labour and maternal oxytocin infusion on fetal plasma oxytocin concentration
Author(s) -
Patient C.,
Davison J. M.,
Charlton L.,
Baylis P. H.,
Thornton S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1999.tb08188.x
Subject(s) - oxytocin , umbilical artery , umbilical vein , fetus , placenta , medicine , caesarean section , obstetrics , vaginal delivery , vein , pregnancy , endocrinology , biology , biochemistry , in vitro , genetics
It is not known whether human labour is associated with increased fetal oxytocin production or transfer of oxytocin across the placenta. Previous reports are contradictory, due in part, to the influence of maternal analgesia on fetal production. We determined plasma oxytocin concentration in the umbilical artery and vein of women after vaginal delivery and after caesarean section with general anaesthesia before or after the onset of labour. The results demonstrate that fetal production of oxytocin is not influenced by general anaesthesia, thus enabling comparison of labour and nonlabour samples at caesarean section. Labour was not associated with an increase in fetal oxytocin production. Oxytocin was also measured in the umbilical artery and vein during maternal oxytocin infusion to assess placental transfer. The results do not support transfer of oxytocin across the placenta in women.