title: Labor stimulation with oxytocin: effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the effects of labor stimulation with oxytocin on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  descriptive and analytical study with 338 women who gave birth at a tertiary hospital. Obstetric and neonatal variables were measured and compared in women submitted and non-submitted to stimulation with oxytocin. Statistics were performed using Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Student t-test; and crude Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  stimulation with oxytocin increases the rates of cesarean sections, epidural anesthesia and intrapartum maternal fever in primiparous and multiparous women. It has also been associated with low pH values of umbilical cord blood and with a shorter duration of the first stage of labor in primiparous women. However, it did not affect the rates of 3rd and 4th degree perineal lacerations, episiotomies, advanced neonatal resuscitation, 5-minute Apgar scores and meconium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  stimulation with oxytocin should not be used systematically, but only in specific cases. These findings provide further evidence to health professionals and midwives on the use of oxytocin during labor. Under normal conditions, women should be informed of the possible effects of labor stimulation with oxytocin.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hidalgo-Lopezosa
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hidalgo-Maestre
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: María Aurora
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Borrego
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin