Oxytocin

Oxytocin (Oxt) is a hormone that is released into the bloodstream in response to stretching of the cervix and uterus during labor and with stimulation of the nipples from breastfeeding. As a medication, it is used to cause contraction of the uterus in order to start labor or increase the speed of labor, and to stop bleeding following delivery. For this purpose, it is given either by injection into a muscle or into a vein.