SYNTOCINON* - synthetic oxytocin - Not the sweet hormone of love it claims to be.
- Doula Matters
- Oct 30, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Too often, women are led to blame themselves for “failing” the induction process, when the reality is far more complex. The true failure often lies with care providers who overlook critical signs of overdose, continuing to administer a drug like Syntocinon* to accelerate dilation, regardless of the consequences.
Women are frequently made to feel that labouring is beyond their ability when, in fact, their distress stems from a hyper-stimulated uterus—contractions so relentless and severe that she can barely breathe, resulting in hypercapnia (dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, a common effect of drug overdose).
Or perhaps she begins to swell from “water intoxication,” where excess fluids cross the blood-brain barrier, leaving her anxious, confused, and out of sorts. Yet again, she’s told this is her body betraying her when it’s actually the drug causing these symptoms.
And when her pain becomes overwhelming, care providers often see the solution as reducing or turning off the Syntocinon* drip and administering an epidural. While this temporarily eases the mother’s distress, it also removes her body’s natural safety mechanisms—her pain receptors, which protect both her and her baby.
Once the epidural is in place, the drip resumes, no longer causing the mother to protest. But now, her baby bears the full brunt of the drug. Inevitably, this leads to fetal distress—a side effect openly acknowledged in the Syntocinon* packaging insert but downplayed during administration.
Suddenly, the CTG monitor begins recording severe heart rate decelerations. In a panic, a team of care providers flood the room, to inject medication to stop the contractions (essentially reversing the overdose), and assure the mother they’ve “saved the day.”
What they don’t tell her is that they were the ones to overdose her in the first place.
Instead, the narrative shifts, leaving her to believe her body is to blame for “failing” her baby.
As a doula, I never imagined how vital it would be to educate myself—and my clients—about Syntocinon* overdose. But it’s become increasingly clear how important it is to shift the focus from self-blame to holding the system accountable.
Women deserve care that supports and protects them during this vulnerable time. We must advocate for a system that prioritizes informed, compassionate care.
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