Athmar Hussein Ali1* ; Intisar Ali Mohamed1; Taha Ali Alsorori 2
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Faculty of Medicine and Health sciences, Sana’a University, Yemen.
2Research unit. Ministry of Public Health & Population. Yemen
Introduction:
Oxytocin and its derivatives are drugs of varying chemical nature that have the power to excite contractions of the uterine muscles[¹]. In 1950 de Vigneaud and coworkers did the noble prize winning work on structure of oxytocin[1]. It is synthesized in the supra optic and Para ventricular nuclei of the hypo – thalamus[1]. By nerve axons it is transported from the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary where it is stored and released [1]. Oxytocin has a half-life of 3-4 minutes and duration of action of approximately 20 minutes. Myometrial
(myometrium) oxytocin receptor concentration increases to maximum (100 – 200 fold) during labour [1] Oxytocin is the primary and the most widely used agent for induction of labour [2]. Induction of labour is intended in conditions that include ruptured membranes for more than 24 hours, postdate pregnancy (over 42 weeks), oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid index˂5cm), intrauterine growth restriction, diabetic and non- reassuring fetal heart rate pattern. Whereas, it is not intended in certain conditions which include more than one caesarean section, non-vertex presentation, persistent
