Oxytocin in active-phase abnormalities of labor: a randomized study.

Abstract

Seven hundred fifty-nine of 926 women in abnormal labor (82%) were entered into an open randomized trial to compare the effects of oxytocin and saline. Patients were classified as having either primary dysfunctional labor or secondary arrest of cervical dilatation. The end points chosen were an increase in the rate of cervical dilatation or a change in cervical dilatation. Patients who failed to respond to the initial solution were crossed over to the other solution. Oxytocin was significantly superior to saline in treating both labor abnormalities. Administration of oxytocin did not increase the need for cesarean delivery for fetal distress.