TITLE:
The Correlation between Synthetic Oxytocin Given during Labor and Women’s Personality Traits According to the SSP (Swedish University Scales of Personality) Survey: A Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Eva Wiberg-Itzel, Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg
KEYWORDS:
Anxiety, Augmentation, Oxytocin, Personality Traits
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.11 No.6,
June
15,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: In modern obstetric care, oxytocin is one of the
most frequently used drugs, and the possible mental impact this drug has on
women is very little studied. The objective of this study is to investigate
whether women augmented with oxytocin during labor will rate their personality
profile differently after childbirth than non-stimulated women. Methods:
Prospective cohort study was performed at Women’s Clinic, Soder hospital,
Stockholm.76 women received the SSP (Swedish University Scales of Personality)
questionnaire to fill in during their stay in the post-maternity ward after
labor. Information about the use of oxytocin was retrieved from the women’s
medical records. Primary outcome: Differences in the SSP scores in the group
augmented with synthetic oxytocin during
labor compared with the non-augmented group. Results: Women with
and without oxytocin estimates on the SSP subscale form differed regarding
personality traits described as “lack of assertiveness” (p = 0.04), which means
“lack of ability to speak up and to be self-assertive in social situations”.
The result also showed that women that had a long time of augmentation with
oxytocin (>5 h) scored higher for “social desirability” (p = 0.004), which
was defined as being “socially adapted,” “friendly,” and “helpful”. A
difference in “psychological anxiety” (p = 0.04) and “social desirability” (p =
0.004) was found among women who had oxytocin in a dose of at least 200 ImU/h
for ≥1 hour. This group also had a lower rate of “mental anxiety” than those
who received lower oxytocin doses. Conclusion: Synthetic oxytocin given
during labor may affect the woman mentally. The total time and volume of given
oxytocin seem to be essential factors when discussing augmentation’s maternal
psychological response. We conclude that prolonged and extended use of
synthetic oxytocin during labor should be avoided if possible.