Definition – What is a drip?
A drip is an infusion containing the active ingredient oxytocin. This infusion is used in obstetrics to induce birth with medication. This means that this oxytocin is used to induce labor.
This is intended to enable spontaneous delivery if the deadline is missed. Oxytocin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the human body. During and after birth, it causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, thereby promoting contractions.
Oxytocin also strengthens mother-child bonding and promotes milk secretion from the breast. The name oxytocin comes from ancient Greek and means “giving birth easily”. Learn everything about inducing contractions
Who needs a woe drop?
The so-called “Wehentropf” is used for the medical initiation of the birth. Pregnant women who have passed the delivery date receive a Wehentropfen to promote the birth. The calculated date of birth is often exceeded and this in itself is not a problem.
In obstetrics, one speaks of a transfer after the 42nd week of pregnancy. However, if this date is greatly exceeded, the birth must be induced with medication. The oxytocin infusion, or drip, has established itself as the standard method of birth initiation when the cervix is mature.
What are the risks of a drip?
The drip is only used under medical supervision, so that any complications or side effects can be competently counteracted. With the correct dosage and good supervision, a Woe Dropper is very well tolerated. However, side effects may occur in rare cases.
Overdosage can lead to uterine overstimulation. The result may be excessive labour pains, breathing difficulties for the newborn baby or even a rupture of the uterus. If the drug is administered too quickly, a sudden drop in blood pressure (hypotension) and reduced blood supply to the heart muscles (myocardial ischemia) may occur, especially if there are previous heart diseases. The more frequent side effects of a drip include
- Headaches
- Tachycardia (too fast heartbeat)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Very rarely the following reactions to the Wehentropf have been reported:
- Coagulation disorder resulting in thrombosis and embolism
- Allergic reactions
- Decreased water excretion of the kidney and a resulting water poisoning (can lead to brain edema)
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