|
Interesting.. women often as why the "drip" can't be
discontinued once they are in active labour. MM
| . |
20040322-8 For how long should oxytocin be
continued during induction of labour? - BJOG: An
International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , vol 111,
no 4, April 2004, pp 331-334 Daniel-Spiegel E; Weiner Z; Ben-Shlomo
I; et al - (2004) |
| |
OBJECTIVE: To answer the question of whether oxytocin
induction of labour should be discontinued when active labour begins.
DESIGN: We enrolled patients admitted for induction of labour with
oxytocin. Exclusion criteria for induction of labour included non-vertex
presentation, past history of more than one caesarean delivery, multiple
pregnancies, persistent non-reassuring fetal heart rate before induction
of labour and estimated fetal weight of more than 4250 g. SETTING:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula,
Israel. POPULATION: Patients who were admitted for induction of labour in
Ha'Emek Medical Center from 1st February 1998 to 29th February 2000.
METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In group A,
infusion of oxytocin was incremental until 5 cm dilation and maintained at
the same level from that point throughout the labour. In group B, infusion
of oxytocin was incremental but was discontinued when cervical dilatation
reached 5 cm. Comparison between the two groups was made using Wilcoxon
rank-sum test and Fisher's exact test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Primary
outcome variable was duration from induction to delivery. The secondary
outcome variables included: duration of labour stages, maximal dosage and
total amount of oxytocin used, the use of analgesia, abnormalities in
fetal heart rate and episodes of uterine hyperstimulation. We also
recorded mode of delivery, together with maternal and neonatal outcome.
RESULTS: One hundred and four patients participated in this study. The
active phase of labour was shorter in group B compared with group A, but
this difference was not statistically significant (2.6 +/- 2 vs 3.3 +/-
2.9, P= 0.07). In group A there were six caesarean deliveries and in group
B only three. No significant differences were found when the other outcome
parameters were compared. CONCLUSIONS: There is no advantage in continuing
oxytocin infusion after the onset of active labour. (18 references)
(Author) |
|
