Monitoring of uterine activity in cases of labor augmentation, and newbornoutcome

Objectives To examine whether internal tocography results in a better obste tric outcome than external tocography in cases where labor is augmented wit h oxytocin infusion. Methods In 127 nulliparous women who were delivered in our clinic, labor wa s augmented with oxytocin infusion due to slow progress. The patients were randomly selected (every second case) to be monitored by either external or internal tocography. Results The two groups of patients had similar cervical dilatation (4.0 +/- 0.7 cm vs. 4.0 +/- 0.8 cm) when oxytocin infusion was started and the mean total and maximum oxytocin doses were also similar (maximum dose 10.2 +/- 6 vs. 11.1 +/- 7 mU/min; mean total dose 2.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.6 IU). T here was no statistical difference in cases where oxytocin was reduced due to hyperstimulation (10.4% vs. 8.33%) or difference in length of labor (236 +/- 87 vs. 240 +/- 92 min), uterine activity integral units (1820 +/- 289 vs. 1910 +/- 322), mode of delivery (normal delivery 82.1% vs. 78.3%; vacuu m 10.4% vs. 11.7%, Cesarean section 7.5% vs. 10.0%) and obstetric outcome b etween the groups. Neonatal status, as assessed by 5-min Apgar scores and u mbilical vein pH was similar in both groups. No assisted ventilation or adm ission to the neonatal intensive care unit was needed. The mean birth weigh t was also similar in both groups (3.5 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.6 kg). Conclusions Both groups of parturients were adequately monitored by both me thods. We found no apparent advantages of internal over external tocography . There were no differences in mode of delivery as well as in newborn statu s.