Obstetric hemorrhage is associated with severe maternal morbidityש and maternal death. The use of tocotonic drugs following delivery is routine practice as part of the active management of the third stage of labor, to increase uterine tone and reduce blood loss. However, the use of these drugs is not without side effects and complications. Oxytocin causes profound vasodilatation, hypotension and increased cardiac output and has been associated with chest pain, reduced arterial oxygen saturation and ST segment changes on ECG. Ergometrine, on the other hand, causes systemic vasoconstriction and hypertension, and reduced cardiac output. As oxytocin and ergometrine are associated with opposing hemodynamic sequelae, there is a rationale to justify the co-administration of both of these drugs in an attempt to cancel out their side effects.~No clinical studies have attempted to titrate the dose of tocotonic drugs against a quantified measure of uterine tone. As a consequence, comparisons of the hemodynamic side effects of oxytocin and other tocotonic agents (particularly ergometrine) have not been based on a knowledge of equipotential doses, making the rational comparison of side effects impossible.~In this study we hypothesize that infused combinations of oxytocin and ergometrine will exhibit fewer cardiac and neurological side effects than equipotent infusion of oxytocin alone. In order to perform this study we perform the following steps:~1) We validate a quantitative measure of uterine tone as our primary endpoint. 2) We use this endpoint measure in order to determine equipotential doses of different tocotonic drug regimens, based on the ED50 for each. 3) Using equipontial ratios based on the ED50, we compare hemodynamic and other side effects of these tocotonic drug regimes. Plasma levels of oxytocin will be measured to enable pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic assessments to be made.
In this study the investigators hypothesize that infused combinations of oxytocin and ergometrine will exhibit fewer cardiac and neurological side effects than equipotent infusion of oxytocin alone. In order to perform this study the investigators perform the following steps:~The investigators validate a quantitative measure of uterine tone as our primary endpoint.~The investigators use this endpoint measure in order to determine equipotential doses of different tocotonic drug regimens, based on the ED50 for each.~Using equipontial ratios based on the ED50, the investigators compare hemodynamic and other side effects of these tocotonic drug regimes. Plasma levels of oxytocin will be measured.