title: Effectiveness and safety of high dose oxytocin for augmentation of labour in nulliparous women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare high and low starting dose of oxytocin infusion for effectiveness and safety in augmentation of labour in nulliparous women.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open randomised controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  258 nulliparous women, with spontaneous onset of labour, who required augmentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Duration of augmentation, mode of delivery, maternal and neonatal complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were randomly allocated to either low dose (starting at 4 mIU/minute) or high dose (starting at 10 mIU/minute) oxytocin group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 258 women enrolled, 133 were randomized to the low and 125 to the high starting oxytocin dose groups. The groups were comparable for maternal and gestational age. There was no difference in mean cervical dilatation before augmentation of labour; six cm in both groups (p = 0.167). The mean augmentation to delivery interval was shorter in the high dose group, 218 versus 326 minutes (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the mode of delivery and fetal outcome in terms of birthweight, five minute Apgar score, admission to neonatal unit and perinatal death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high starting dose of oxytocin infusion is as safe but more effective for augmentation of labour in nulliparous women, compared to a low starting dose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, PO Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe. majokof215@avu.org
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Majoko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin