What is the effect of a drip?

The active ingredient of the Woe Dropper is a hormone that is naturally produced in a special part of the brain, namely the hypothalamus. This hormone is oxytocin. Oxytocin performs various functions in the human organism.

Among other things it promotes interpersonal bonds, which is why it is often referred to as the “cuddling hormone”. During and after birth, oxytocin takes over important tasks. It promotes the contraction of the uterus and thus leads to contractions.

In the event of a weakness in labour, the contractions can thus be intensified and the birth can be advanced. Oxytocin also causes the placenta to be excreted after birth and stops postpartum bleeding. After application of a contraceptive dropper, contractions usually occur within a few hours.

What are the alternatives to a drip?

The drip has established itself as the medical standard in the medical initiation of birth. However, the Woe Dropper can only be used when the cervix is already mature. If the cervix is still closed, so-called prostaglandins can be used to induce labor.

These are messenger substances that act at various receptors – i.e. binding sites – in the body. Prostaglandins also act at the cervix. There they can be applied directly in the form of a gel.

Application in the form of vaginal tablets or pessaries is also possible. Prostaglandins cause the cervix to open. Prostaglandins can also induce labor.

A possible side effect of using prostaglandins is also the overstimulation of the uterus, which can be accompanied by an increased heart rate of the fetus and so-called fetal stress.However, the risk of such complications can be reduced with the correct dosage and medical supervision. Studies have also shown that the rate of spontaneous births within 24 hours of using the prostaglandins has been significantly increased, whereas the rate of Caesarean sections has been reduced. Learn more about contraceptive and home remedies

How long does it take from the start of the drip until birth?

The drip must be administered continuously. This means that a stable concentration of the active ingredient oxytocin in the body must be achieved. Therefore, the infusion is administered at a relatively slow rate over several hours.

However, the speed and duration of administration also varies depending on the dose of the drip. This is adapted to the existing contractions, which are always monitored with the CTG. Thus, it may well be that sufficient contractions are already present after 2 hours and birth occurs.

However, a rate of approximately 2 ml per minute should not be exceeded. With a total amount of approximately 500 ml of the infusion, this results in an approximate duration of 250 minutes or 4 hours and 10 minutes. If the intake speed is too fast, considerable side effects can occur, so that sufficient time is very important for the administration of the drip.

After the administration of the drip, contractions usually occur within a few hours. However, this can differ from woman to woman. Within 3 to 4 hours, however, many women are expected to go into labor.

The birth itself then usually lasts another hour or so. In some cases, however, it is possible that after a complete infusion there is still insufficient contraction activity in the CTG. In such a case, the attempt to induce labor is aborted. It can be repeated the next day.