A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing two oxytocin induction protocols.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to compare the safety and efficacy of two accepted oxytocin induction protocols that differ in oxytocin dose increments.


METHODS
At the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, 151 women with indications for induction of labor were prospectively randomized into one of two oxytocin induction protocols. Safety and efficacy of the two protocols were analyzed with two-tailed t tests and chi 2.


RESULTS
Time from induction to establishment of a regular labor pattern was significantly shorter in the experimental group compared with the traditional group (p = 0.03). However, no significant difference was seen from onset of induction to time of delivery. Incidences of hyperstimulation were not significantly different between the two protocols, but there was a trend toward a higher incidence of fetal heart rate changes in the experimental group (p = 0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that induction with larger dose increments will shorten time to adequate labor without an associated increase in uterine hyperstimulation or poor neonatal outcome. The differences in heart rate changes are concerning and merit further investigation. If confirmed by further studies, an increased risk of cord compression could outweigh the benefit of a faster onset of contractions.
Muller
P R
PR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28232.
Stubbs
T M
TM
Laurent
S L
SL
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors
D010121:Oxytocin