Some bright facts about Maternity and Newborn Medications

METHYLORGONOVINE, an ergot alkaloid, is an agent that is used to prevent or control post partum hemorrhage by contracting the uterus. Methylorgonovine causes continuous uterine contractions and may elevate blood pressure. A priority assessment before the administration of the medication is to check the blood pressure.

Respiratory distress is common in premature neonates and may be due to lung immaturity as a result of surfactant deficiency. The mainstay of treatment is the administration of EXOGENOUS SURFACTANT, which is administered by the intratracheal route.

OXYTOCIN stimulates uterine contractions and is a common pharmacological method to induce labor. An adverse reaction associated with administration of the medication is hyperstimulation of uterine contractions. Therefore, oxytocin infusion must be stopped when any signs of uterine hyperstimulation are present.

Magnesium toxicity can occur from MAGNESIUM SULFATE therapy. Signs of magnesium sulfate toxicity relate central nervous system depressant effects of the medication and include respiratory depression, lost of deep tendon reflex, and a sudden drop in fetal heart rate and maternal heart rate and blood pressure. Therapeutic serum levels of magnesium are 4-7.5 meq/L.

OPIOIDS (Narcotics) are used for epidural analgesia. An adverse reaction of epidural analgesia is a delayed respiratory depression. NALOXONE (narcan) is a opioid agonist, which reverses the effect of opioids and is given for respiratory depression.

BETHAMETHASONE (celestone), a glucocorticoid, is given to stimulate fetal lung maturation. It is used for clients in preterm labor between 28 to 32 weeks if the labor can be inhibited for 48 hours.

Rh incompatibility can occur when an Rh-negative mother becomes sensitized to the Rh antigen. Sensitization may develop when an Rh-negative woman becomes pregnant with a fetus that is Rh-positive. During pregnancy at delivery, some of the baby’s Rh-positive blood can enter the maternal circulation, causing the woman’s immune system to form antibodies against Rh-positive blood. Administration of “Rh (D) immune globulin” prevents the woman from developing antibodies against Rh-positive blood by providing passive antibody protection against the Rh antigen.