The Red Alert information is for the benefit of doctors and midwives who work in countries where oxytocin (often for veterinary use) can be bought over the counter, and is allegedly being given by intramuscular injection to women in labour expecting a live baby, in home-birth settings. We warn against this to prevent changes to the maternal cardiac rhythm and hypoxia to the baby.
Ideally, even after the baby has been born, Sytnometrine (containing 5 IU synthetic oxytocin and 500 micrograms ergometrine maleate) can be administered to aid separation of the placenta and controlled blood loss, rather than pure synthetic oxytocin 10 IU.
Syntometrine (containing 5 IU synthetic oxytocin and 500 micrograms ergometrine maleate) can be administered to aid separation of the placenta and controlled blood loss, rather than pure synthetic oxytocin 10 IU.