A randomized trial of 30-min and 15-min oxytocin infusion regimen for induction of labor at term in women of low parity.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate in women of low parity (para 1, 2 or 3) whether induction of labor using a regimen of intravenous oxytocin, increasing incrementally at 30-min intervals is safer than one increasing at 15-min intervals.

METHOD

Two hundred and forty-five women of low parity requiring induction of labor by infusion of oxytocin were randomly allocated to incremental increases at 30-min intervals (123 women) as experimental group or 15-min intervals (122 women) as the control group. In both groups forewater amniotomy was performed synchronously with oxytocin infusion using the allocated regimen.

RESULTS

The 30-min incremental regimen resulted in less precipitate labor, uterine hyperstimulation and a reduced length of stay in hospital. The induction delivery interval was longer with the experimental group which also had less occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage, perineal tears and puerperal pyrexia.

CONCLUSION

Oxytocin infusion regimen with 30 min incremental increases is safer than the regimen with 15-min incremental increases.