Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Oxytocin induced second trimester uterine rupture.

J E Dickinson, J P Newnham, R V Roberts

The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

|November 1, 1986

Summary

Oxytocin can cause uterine rupture in the second trimester, even in an unscarred uterus. Palpating fetal parts through the cervix may delay diagnosis of this rare obstetric emergency.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The association between <i>in utero</i> exposure to maternal psychological stress and female reproductive function in adolescence: A prospective cohort study.

Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology·2022

Same author

In utero exposure to maternal stressful life events and risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in the offspring: The Raine Study.

Psychoneuroendocrinology·2020

Same author

Neonatal outcomes following previable prelabour rupture of membranes before 23 weeks of gestation - A retrospective cohort study.

Journal of neonatal-perinatal medicine·2020

Same author

The association between in-utero exposure to stressful life events during pregnancy and male reproductive function in a cohort of 20-year-old offspring: The Raine Study.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2019

Same author

STRIDER NZAus: a multicentre randomised controlled trial of sildenafil therapy in early-onset fetal growth restriction.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2019

Same author

Features of the metabolic syndrome in late adolescence are associated with impaired testicular function at 20 years of age.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2018

Area of Science:

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Reproductive Medicine

Background:

Uterine rupture is a rare but severe obstetric emergency.
Oxytocic agents, like oxytocin, are known risk factors for uterine rupture, particularly in scarred uteri.
Rupture during the second trimester in an unscarred uterus is exceptionally uncommon.

Observation:

A case of uterine rupture occurred during the second trimester in a patient receiving oxytocin for labor induction.
The unscarred uterus was affected, highlighting a less common presentation.
Fetal parts were palpable through the cervical os, complicating the clinical picture.

Findings:

Digital palpation of fetal parts through the cervix can mimic other conditions, potentially delaying the diagnosis of uterine rupture.
The presence of palpable fetal parts does not rule out fetal extrusion secondary to uterine rupture.
This case underscores the importance of considering uterine rupture in the differential diagnosis, even with atypical physical findings.

Implications:

Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for uterine rupture in patients receiving oxytocin, irrespective of uterine scarring.
Diagnostic delays can be minimized by recognizing that palpable fetal parts do not exclude uterine rupture.
This case contributes to the understanding of rare uterine rupture etiologies and diagnostic challenges in obstetrics.

Related Experiment Videos