Effect of oxytocin discontinuation during the active phase of labor

Abstract

Objective: To observe the progression of labor when oxytocin use is limited to the onset of the active stage of labor.

Methods: A randomized, prospective controlled study was performed to address the issue of oxytocin infusion after the onset of active labor in 140 patients. In the study group, infusion of oxytocin was discontinued at the onset of the active phase of labor, which was accepted as a cervical dilatation of 5 cm. In the control group, incremental oxytocin infusion was administered until 5 cm cervical dilatation, and then was maintained at the same level until delivery.

Results: The primary outcome variable was duration from the beginning of the active phase to delivery. In the study group, the duration of the active phase of labor was about 30 min longer than in the control group and this difference was significant. The secondary outcomes of the study were maternal-fetal complications of oxytocin and in both groups there were no significant differences.

Conclusion: It is not reasonable to discontinue oxytocin infusion at the beginning of active labor. Nevertheless, for an accurate conclusion expanded investigations are needed.

Keywords: Active phase of labor; desensitization; oxytocin.