Introduction to Labor, Delivery, & Reproductive System Drugs

Medications used during the pre-natal, peri-natal, and post-natal periods ensure the mother and child remain healthy during and after pregnancy.

Terbutaline is an inhalation medication used to treat premature labor by relaxing the uterus muscles. It can be used to induce or augment labor in pregnant women with a threatened miscarriage or abnormal fetal presentation.

Oxytocin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that helps stimulate uterine contractions during labor. Oxytocin is used to induce labor and control postpartum bleeding after birth.

Folic acid (or folate) is given before birth to prevent neural tube defects in newborns. It helps prevent neural tube defects in infants, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, if taken before conception (and for at least one month after). So it’s essential for women who plan on becoming pregnant to get enough folic acid from their diets or supplements. 

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid recommended for pregnant mothers between twenty-four to thirty-four weeks of gestation at risk for preterm delivery. Betamethasone administration is indicated due to immature neonate lungs not fully developed.

Terbutaline Pathophysiology

Terbutaline is a beta-agonist used to prevent preterm labor and induce labor in pregnant clients. It delays labor momentarily by suppressing contractions.

Terbutaline Mechanism of Action 

Activated beta 2 receptors activate the sympathetic nervous system, which suppresses labor.

Memory Trick

• TurbutaLINE 
• Wait in LINE for the baby while Terbutaline slows down turbulent contractions.

Oxytocin Pathophysiology

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and has several different effects on the body. Oxytocin induces labor and stimulates contractions.

It plays a role in labor contractions and can cause uterine contraction even when not pregnant. Oxytocin has many other functions, including affecting blood pressure, stimulating milk release in lactating clients , and uterine contraction during labor.

Oxytocin Mechanism of Action

Oxytocin increases the sodium permeability of uterine myofibrils, stimulating contractions of the uterine smooth muscle.

Folic Acid and Betamethasone

Folic acid is a vitamin essential to a fetus’s development. It ensures that the baby’s body and brain can grow properly and helps produce new cells.

The folic acid deficiency that causes problems during pregnancy is related to blood loss during delivery. Blood loss occurs because the placenta separates from the uterus during delivery, which can cause bleeding. 

The mother’s body also uses more blood during labor and delivery than usual. This means that she may not have enough folic acid left in her system to help her baby’s body and brain develop normally. 

In labor and delivery, betamethasone is administered to women considered at risk for preterm delivery. A woman may be considered at risk if she has had a previous premature birth or premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

The medication can also be given intramuscularly or intravenously in preparation for cesarean sections.

Folic Acid Mechanism of Action

Folic Acid stimulates red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet production in clients experiencing certain megaloblastic anemias.

Betamethasone Mechanism of Action

Betamethasone binds to certain intracellular glucocorticoid receptors and DNA to modify gene expression.

Labor, Delivery, & Reproductive System Drugs Conclusion

Labor, delivery, and reproductive system drugs are a set of medications used to treat the symptoms of labor and delivery. These drugs can also help clients deal with complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth. These include Estrogen, Progesterone, Terbutaline, Oxytocin, Folic acid, and Betamethasone.

Sources

https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/reproductive-hormones 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/folate-deficiency-anemia