What is the most appropriate intervention for a woman experiencing uterine atony?

Uterine atony is a condition characterized by the inability of the uterus to contract adequately after labor, which can lead to significant postpartum hemorrhage. The most effective and immediate intervention for managing uterine atony is the administration of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes uterine contractions. By enhancing the contraction of the uterine muscles, oxytocin helps to reduce blood loss and stabilize the woman’s condition.

While encouraging ambulation, providing pain relief, and increasing IV fluids might have their respective roles in postpartum care and management, they do not specifically address the primary issue of uterine atony. Ambulation might be beneficial once the woman is stable and recovering, but it does not directly resolve uterine atony. Pain relief can be important for comfort but does not influence uterine contractility. Increasing IV fluids may be necessary to manage potential hypovolemia due to blood loss, but it does not directly treat the underlying problem of inadequate uterine tone.

In summary, the use of oxytocin stands out as the most critical intervention for effectively stimulating uterine contractions and addressing the risk of hemorrhage associated with uterine atony.