The caregiver inserts the drip into a vein in the woman's arm or hand. A fine cannula (or hollow plastic tube) is left in place to allow the oxytocin infusion to be slowly dripped into the woman's blood stream. You may wish to request that the drip is inserted into the arm you use least (so if you are right handed place the drip in the left hand or arm). The drip needs to stay in until after the baby is born.
Individual women will vary with how sensitive they are to the medication and if it is not your first baby, then you can be much more sensitive to the drug. The medication needs to be given in a slow, controlled manner, and built up gradually over time. It is for this reason that the drip is controlled by an electric infusion pump, counting the number of millilitres given each hour, to administer the precise dose required.
Image 4-39 shows one type of infusion pump that can be used to administer oxytocin.
The oxytocin drip is started on the lowest dose, and then slowly increased every 15 - 30 minutes until the contractions become strong and regular. The required dose depends on the woman's individual response. In most cases the drip will need to run for several hours, before contractions start (unless the waters have been broken, then it may be less than this).
Once the labour is established, the oxytocin drip is usually maintained at the same level. If the contractions become too strong, the dose may need to be reduced (or possibly turned off if the uterus is overstimulated, or 'contracting too much'). It is possible for the baby to become distressed when using oxytocin. It is for this reason that the caregiver will recommend using the continuous fetal monitor, or
CTG machine.
Most caregivers prefer the monitor to stay on for the rest of the labour when using oxytocin.