Maternal and Neonatal Oxytocin Levels During Cesarean Section With or Without Labor Pain and Puerperal Complications

The role of Oxytocin (OXT), found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), circulation and umbilical cord blood, in regulation the timing and initiation of labor and puerperal complications is controversial. This study was designed to clarify the possible role of maternal and fetal OXT in the onset of labor and puerperal complications by comparing the parameters in two groups of pregnant women undergoing cesarean section (CS) after the onset of labor, or elective CS.
Material and Methods: In this study, OXT levels were measured in plasma, CSF and umbilical cord in two groups of pregnant women who underwent CS, one group with the onset of labor and the other without it. Puerperal complications were detected and the results of both groups were compared.
Results: No significant differences were noticed between the two groups in the plasma, CSF, and umbilical cord levels of OXT (p>0.05). The amount of postoperative hemorrhage and intensity of after pain in the group with the onset of labor were less than those without labor (p<0.05). In the group with contractions the uterine involution time and lochia were less than in the other group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there were no differences in maternal and neonatal OXT concentrations among the groups. It was also concluded that onset of labor reduced puerperal and neonatal complications.