LOW-DOSE VERSUS HIGH-DOSE OXYTOCIN AUGMENTATION OF LABOR - A RANDOMIZED TRIAL

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the efficacy and safety of low-d ose versus high-dose oxytocin regimens in the augmentation of labor. S TUDY DESIGN: Three hundred ten term pregnancies requiring augmentation of labor underwent randomization to receive either a low-dose or high -dose oxytocin augmentation regimen. Maternal demographics, labor-deli very data, and neonatal outcome were compared. RESULTS: The high-dose oxytocin group had a significantly lower cesarean section rate, regard less of parity (10.4% vs 25.7%, p < 0.001), with no differences in mat ernal complications and neonatal outcomes. The time needed to correct the labor abnormality was also significantly decreased (1.24 +/- 1.4 h ours vs 3.12 +/- 1.6 hours, p < 0.001) in the high-dose group. CONCLUS IONS: The use of a high-dose oxytocin regimen benefits both nulliparou s and multiparous women requiring labor augmentation by significantly lowering both the time necessary to correct the labor abnormality and the need for cesarean section.