Oxytocin Overuse During Induction: Is Managing with Less Appropriate?

Although oxytocin is the most widely used agent for inducing labor, optimal regimens for this indication remain unknown. Researchers conducted a trial in 252 pregnant women who underwent induction to determine if discontinuing oxytocin during labor affected likelihood of cesarean delivery. Participants were randomized to routine induction (oxytocin administration until delivery) or oxytocin discontinuation at attainment of active labor (defined as regular uterine contractions and cervical dilation ≥4 cm).

In fully 25% of patients in the discontinuation group, oxytocin infusion was maintained after active labor was achieved (reasons not always known); moreover, in another 46% of patients in this group, oxytocin had to be restarted after disco…