포유류에서 옥시토신은 다양한 기능을 가지고 있는 신경뇌하수체 호르몬이다. 옥시토신은 주로 젖의 분비를 일으키고 분만 시 자궁의 수축 및 모성 행동과 관계가 있다. 모성 행동은 스트레스에 의해 억압을 받으며 옥시토신에 의해 촉진된다. 본 연구는 제왕절개의 스트레스와 자궁내 옥시투여에 따른 모성 행동의 변화를 알아보기 위해 수행되었다. 본 실험 결과, 자연 분만 예에서 스트레스를 준 개체와 스트레스를 주지 않은 개체에서 새끼의 생존율을 비교한 결과, 스트레

Severe maternal morbidity is frequently associated with catastrophic complications of pregnancy such as amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) or sepsis due to chorioamnionitis. The authors report a case of postpartum maternal hypoxic encephalopathy that might be attributed to AFE or sepsis due to chorioamnionitis with Escherichia coli bacteremia, and review the relevant literature. The patient presented with preterm labor, underwent Cesarean section for intrauterine fetal demise, and experienced postpartum cardiopulmonary collapse and disseminated intravascular coagulation, which led to catastrophic postpartum maternal encephalopathy.

A 31-year-old woman was transferred because of dyspnea that occurred immediately after cesarean section. Initial echocar-diography showed akinesia in apex to mid left ventricular (LV) wall with severe LV systolic dysfunction, which was pre-sumed to be stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Because the patient developed cardiogenic shock, we initially planned on inser-tion of an intra-aortic balloon pump. However, due to aggravation of cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema, we had to resort to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiopulmonary support. In addition, an LV pigtail catheter was applied for decompressing the LV. Finally, she was successfully weaned from ECMO after recovery of LV function.