Surgical Induction of Labour With and Without Oxytocin Infusion: A Prospective Study

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of simultaneous oxytocin infusion in physiological doses in patients in whom amniotomy had been performed to induce labour.

Abstract

Summary: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of simultaneous oxytocin infusion in physiological doses in patients in whom amniotomy had been performed to induce labour. One hundred patients were studied and, as far as possible, these were obstetrically homogeneous. In all patients, conditions favourable for induction were present. All of the 50 patients induced by amniotomy and simultaneous oxytocin infusion delivered within 24 hours (1 patient required a Caesarean section operation for fetal distress), whereas only 34 of the 50 induced by amniotomy alone did so. The study confirms the generally accepted view that 95% of patients will be delivered vaginally after surgical induction of labour. It also confirms Mac Vicar's study (1971) that 2% of patients induced by amniotomy will require Caesarean section for defective uterine activity alone. To shorten the induction‐delivery interval, amniotomy should be performed and, immediately thereafter, an oxytocin infusion commenced. In favourable cases, the oxytocin should be given by intravenous infusion in physiological doses. This requires minimal staff supervision.