Is caesarean section done with oxytocin?

Oxytocin is a hormone and medicine that encourages the uterus to contract. During a caesarean birth, the obstetric team may give it through a vein after delivery of the baby and placenta. These contractions help the uterus become firm and support control of bleeding from the area where the placenta was attached.

The dose and timing depend on the clinical situation, the uterus’s response, and the hospital’s practice. Oxytocin is not what performs the surgical delivery; the operation involves an incision in the abdomen and uterus, followed by closure after the baby and placenta are delivered.

Before a planned operation, tell the anaesthesia and maternity teams about medicines, allergies, heart conditions, and any previous reaction to oxytocin. Ask which medicines may be used during recovery, how contractions and bleeding will be monitored, and what symptoms should be reported. Read about [Oxytocin](/materials/oxytocin/) and [Caesarean Section](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/caesarean-section/) as part of your preparation.

After birth, seek urgent maternity advice for heavy or increasing bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fainting, fever, chest pain, breathing difficulty, or a wound that is opening or producing pus. A fast heartbeat, severe headache, or sudden swelling also deserves prompt assessment. Do not change or stop prescribed medicines without contacting the maternity team.

Will oxytocin be part of my operation plan? How will you monitor bleeding and uterine contraction? What other medicines might I receive? Which warning signs should prompt me to contact the hospital after discharge?