Oxytocin exposure during labor among women with postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony.

Abstract

We sought to determine if women with severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) secondary to uterine atony received greater amounts of oxytocin during labor compared to women without PPH. Subjects with severe PPH secondary to uterine atony, who received a blood transfusion, were compared to matched controls. Total oxytocin exposure was calculated as the area under the concentration curve (mU/min*min). Variables were compared using paired t test, χ², and logistic regression. Women with severe PPH had a mean oxytocin area under the curve of 10,054 mU compared to 3762 mU in controls (P < .001). After controlling for race, body mass index, admission hematocrit, induction status, magnesium therapy, and chorioamnionitis using logistic regression, oxytocin area under the curve continued to predict severe PPH. Women with severe PPH secondary to uterine atony were exposed to significantly more oxytocin during labor compared to matched controls.