Oxytocin: oxytocic of choice in first trimester

Abstract

Either oxytocin (10 U) or ergometrine (0.25 mg) was given intravenously to patients having suction curettage for termination of pregnancy. There was significantly less blood lost and a lower incidence of vomiting in the group receiving oxytocin.

PIP: This investigation compared blood loss following intravenous administration of oxytocin (10 U) or ergometrine (0.25 mg) in patients undergoing first trimester abortion by suction curettage. It also examined the incidence of vomiting after the procedure was completed. The 101 patients comprised the oxytocin group and 100 patients received the ergometrine. 14% of those receiving oxytocin (N=12) vomited postoperatively and 32% of those who received ergometrine (N=28) vomited. Patients who received oxytocin had significantly lower blood loss than those who received ergometrine. Both at 7 and 14 weeks gestation, there is an overlap of standard errors; at 15 weeks, the samples were too small to draw any valid conclusions for that period of gestation.