Final answer:
A patient receives oxytocin during intrapartum to induce or strengthen labor contractions, as this hormone increases the sensitivity of the uterus to contractions and is part of a positive feedback loop which is critical for childbirth.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient would be placed on oxytocin during intrapartum to induce or augment labor contractions. Oxytocin is an endocrine hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland, which plays a crucial role in stimulating uterine contractions necessary for childbirth. Late in pregnancy, the number of oxytocin receptors in the uterus peaks, making the uterine smooth muscles more sensitive to oxytocin. During labor, oxytocin release leads to increased uterine contractions, which further stimulate the release of this hormone in a positive feedback loop until the birth is complete. This process also involves the release of prostaglandins, which enhance the contractile strength of the uterus. If a pregnancy is not progressing to labor naturally, a pharmaceutical version of oxytocin, commonly referred to as pitocin, may be administered intravenously to initiate or strengthen labor contractions.