A woman in labor for over 12 hours has very little progress. The health care provider thinks that her contractions lack the forc
e needed to propel the infant downward through the birth canal. The provider asks a group of nursing students which hormone may need to be given to increase the force of the contraction. Which hormone would be the best answer?a. oxytocin, a posterior pituitary hormone b. antidiuretic hormone, a posterior pituitary hormone
c. luteinizing hormone, an anterior pituitary hormone
d. growth hormone, an anterior pituitary hormone
Oxytocin is known as a posterior pituitary hormone that helps to stimulate strong contractions during labor pain and help to dilate the cervix, push the baby downward and out through the birth canal, drag out of the placenta, and restrict the bleeding at the placental site.
During the birth process, against the cervix, the pressure of the baby and then against the pelvic floor tissues helps to promote contractions and oxytocin hormone. Low levels of oxytocin hormone can cause several problems such as after birth excessive bleeding at the placenta site, contractions slow or stop and making labor time take longer, etc.
