hanging pit while pregnant?

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Specializes in L&D.

Has anyone heard that pit is teratogenic and you should wear gloves when hanging it?

I was told this on orientation, but it seemed very odd to me since we give it to pregnant women all the time!

Anyway, I admit I'm lax about wearing gloves when handling IV bags.

But now I'm 8 weeks pregnant and got some postpartum pit (20 units in 1000ml) on my bare hand and it made me nervous because I remember what I heard on orientation.

Is there any truth to that?

I couldn't find any info online.

Is there a theory that it could cause birth defects?

Or maybe miscarriage in large doses? (I doubt a splash on intact skin would do it...)

Do you all wear gloves when hanging bags of pit?

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Specializes in NICU.

Pitocin (Oxytocin) - Warnings and Precautions

"Teratogenic Effects: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with oxytocin. There are no known indications for use in the first trimester of pregnancy other than in relation to spontaneous or induced abortion. Based on the wide experience with this drug and its chemical structure and pharmacological properties, it would not be expected to present a risk of fetal abnormalities when used as indicated."

Never heard of pitocin causing birth defects. It's the synthetic version of a hormone that your body already produces throughout pregnancy in small amounts anyway. I think there is more of a danger of spontaneously aborting with pitocin on board than birth defects. a splash on intact skin shouldn't be a problem, but if you are worried, I would ask your OB/GYN to be safe.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree - ask your OB provider.

Take care.

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