SYNTOCINON* - synthetic oxytocin - Not the sweet hormone of love it claims to be.

When the System Fails Her: The Untold Story of Syntocinon Overdose in Labour

Too often, women come out of birth believing they've failed.

They're told their bodies didn't progress fast enough, that

labour was too long or too painful. They're left with guilt, confusion, and shame - believing their body simply wasn't up to the task of childbirth.

But what if that story is wrong?

What if the failure wasn't hers at all?

What if it was the system?

The Pressure to "Progress"

In modern maternity care, there's immense pressure to speed things along. The solution, more often than not, comes in the form of Syntocinon* - a synthetic version of the body's natural hormone, oxytocin, used to induce or augment labour.

Used carefully, it can be helpful.

But too often, it's not used carefully.

It's increased in dose after dose - regardless of how the woman is coping or

how her body is responding.

And when things begin to unravel, the blame quietly shifts to her.

What Overdose Really Looks Like

When Syntocinon is pushed too hard, too fast, the uterus can become

hyperstimulated. Contractions come one on top of the other with little

or no rest between - leaving the mother gasping for air, unable to reset.

This isn't just exhausting- it's dangerous.

The woman's breathing may become shallow. Carbon dioxide reduces in her bloodstream - a condition known as hypocapnia. She feels panicked, distressed, and overwhelmed.

Or perhaps her IV fluids aren't being monitored closely. The excess fluid seeps into her tissues, and the imbalance draws water into her brain. She becomes foggy, disoriented, emotionally unstable. It's called water intoxication, and it is a known side effect.

Yet even then, she's told "this just how labour is."

Or worse, that " her body isn't coping."

When the Pain Is Silenced - But the Risk Isn't

Eventually, her distress becomes undeniable. Care providers may reduce the Synto Drip. An epidural is offered - sometimes strongly encouraged. And for a brief moment, it brings relief.

But there's a hidden cost

The pain that once acted as her warning signal is now muted. The synto resumes. Her voice is quiet. Her body is numb and can no longer cry out for help.

But her baby can.

Soon, the CTG monitor flashes signs of fetal distress - dramatic decelerations in baby's heart rate. The room fills with urgency. Medications are given to halt contractions. A team (in unnecessary numbers - adding to the woman's distress) rushes in, taking swift action to "save the day"

And the mother - exhausted, confused, grateful - has no idea what just happened.

She doesn't realise that this emergency was drug-induced.

That the drip, restarted after her protests were dulled, pushed her baby

past its limit.

That this was an overdose.

Instead, the narrative quietly shifts:

Your labour stalled. Your body didn't cope. We had to intervene.

And once again - she's left to believe she failed.

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Why This Matters

As a doula, I never expected I'd have to learn about Syntocinon overdose.

But I've seen the pattern too many times not to speak out.

This is not rare. This is not uncommon. This is not okay.

Women deserve care that informs them. Supports them. Protects them.

They deserve to know that when their labour spirals into distress, it is not because of their body - but because of the drugs used, the decisions made, and the protocols followed without consent or context.

We must stop telling women they are broken.

We must start holding the system accountable.

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Let's Tell a New Story

One where the women understands what's happening in their birth suites.

One where pain is not dismissed but respected.

One where interventions are used with caution, not convenience.

And ONE where women come out of birth empowered - not blamed

Because the truth is: She didn't fail.

The system did.

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Note: "Syntocinon" is the brand name used in Australia for synthetic oxytocin. In other countries, it may be referred to as Pitocin or simply oxytocin

Syntocinon: Package Insert - Drugs.com

Syntocinon Overdose, Warnings, Precautions, Miss dose

Syntocinon Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term

Syntocinon - NPS MedicineWise