title: Oxytocin discontinuation during active labor in women who undergo labor induction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an increase in the cesarean delivery rate in women who undergo induction when oxytocin is discontinued in the active phase of labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial of women who underwent induction of labor at term; they were assigned randomly to either routine oxytocin use (routine) or oxytocin discontinuation (DC) once in active labor. Analysis was by intention to treat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred fifty-two patients were eligible for study analysis: 127 patients were assigned randomly to the routine group and 125 patients were assigned randomly to the DC group. Cesarean delivery rate was similar between the groups (routine, 25.2% [n = 32] vs the DC group, 19.2% [n = 24]; P = .25). There was a higher chorioamnionitis rate and slightly longer active phase in those women who were assigned to the DC group. In adjusted analysis, the rate of chorioamnionitis was not different by randomization group but was explained by the duration of membrane rupture and intrauterine pressure catheter placement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Discontinuation of oxytocin in active labor after labor induction does not increase the cesarean delivery rate significantly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Liany C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Diven
authors.forename: Meredith L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rochon
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gogle
authors.forename: Sherrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eid
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Smulian
authors.forename: Joanne N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Quiñones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000187:drug effects*; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin