title: Augmentation of labour--mode of delivery related to cervimetric progress.
abstract: This study was designed to investigate the possible benefits, in terms of obstetric and neonatal outcome, of a prolonged augmentation period with oxytocin in patients with dysfunctional first stage of labour. The majority of patients (65.5% of nulliparas and 83.8% of multiparas) responded with satisfactory progress within the first 4 hours of augmentation and the Caesarean section rate was low in this group (1.3%). In those with unsatisfactory progress during the first 4 hours of augmentation a further 4 hour period of augmentation resulted in vaginal delivery for 50.7% of nulliparas with primary dysfunctional labour and 33.3% of those with secondary arrest in labour. Corresponding figures for multiparas were 41.7% and 25.0%, respectively. The neonatal outcome was uniformly good. It is concluded that the management protocol presented for augmentation of labour seems to be a safe procedure and might reduce the rising Caesarean section rate for dystocia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arulkumaran
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ingemarsson
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ratnam
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin