Oxytocin and the induction of labor: use in a network of community hospitals.
This study uses a matched cohort design to compare the process and outcome of patients whose labor was induced using oxytocin with those entering labor spontaneously in a network of small community hospitals. The patients with induced labor more frequently had an arrest of dilatation and had infants who showed more abnormalities of fetal heart rate. There were no differences in infant APGAR scores. The previously reported increases in epidural anesthesia, episiotomy, and assisted deliveries in patients with induced labor were not found, suggesting a significantly different style of care provided by family physicians in small community hospitals.
Crump
W J
WJ
School of Primary Medical Care, Family Medicine, University of Alabama, Huntsville 35801.
D000407:Alabama; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D010121:Oxytocin; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D010121:Oxytocin