Specialties Ob/Gyn
Published Feb 4, 2003
mark_LD_RN
940 Posts
does anyone do this anymore. and if so when and why?
mother/babyRN, RN
3 Articles; 1,587 Posts
We haven't done that. Only thing I have used calcium for is for mag....Whatever you end up using it form pt should be on the cardiac monitor and be observed for tetany, which I have seen happen. Also labs .
SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
never done that. why would you do that? curious.
had a couple of older docs order it in past. from what i remember it was supposed to increase the effectiveness of the pit.but not sure, been trying to find out:)
perhaps by increasing muscle contractility and irritibility, thereby enhanging the effect of pit? Hmmmm maybe...never seen it done. To me, either a person is "ready" for pit or not...it's about receptor reaction, not just muscle excitability. But I may be wrong?
luv l&d
66 Posts
Have done this with midwife pts. Uaually when the labor "peters out" after a prolonged active phase. Rationale includes calcuim increases muscle contractility, and there for makes the pitocin more effective. Usually one amp of calcuim in a liter. Maybe wishful thinking or just "tincure of time" but have seen it work. Also have used it without pit. just to make spontanous contractions more effective.
ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN
438 Posts
I have honestly never heard of that!