OBSTETRICS

Obstetric Anaesthesia Handbook

Essential reading prior to working on labour word. Useful guidelines on everything from troubleshooting epidurals to managing obstetric related emergencies. 

Carbetocin

Carbetocin is now used on labour ward in preference to oxytocin. This comes in a 1ml vial containing 100mcg.

Please familiarise yourself with the full guideline HERE before using.

In brief:

• The dose is 100mcg given slowly over 1 minute.

• It is recommended that 100mcg (1ml) is diluted with 9mls of normal saline to provide a 10mcg/ml solution.

• For low risk elective caesarean sections, 20-50mcg may be enough (ED90 ≤ 20mcg if not in labour & low PPH risk).

• Do NOT give an oxytocin bolus or infusion within 4 hours of carbetocin administration.

• If further uterotonics are required, alternative agents should be given (see below):