Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Delayed labour progress is common in nulliparous women, and is among the leading indications for emergency caesarean section. The present study evaluated augmentation of delayed labour using different doses of oxytocin. Materials & Methods: 80 pregnant women with gestational age ranged 37 weeks - 41 weekswere divided into 2 groups of 40 each. Group I were prescribed 33.2mgoxytocin (high) and group II 16.6mgoxytocin (low) in isotonic saline. Parameters such as indication for caesarean section, vaginal birth, NICU admission, NICU stay, mortality, metabolic acidosis, Apgar score less than 4, Apgar score less than 7was recorded. Results: Indication for cesarean sectionwas fetal distress seen in 14 in group I and 17 in group II, progress failure in 29 in group I and 26 in group II. Vaginal birth was spontaneous seen 13 in group I and 15 in group II and instrumental seen 30 in group I and 28 in group II. The need for manual placenta removal was seen in 4 in group I and 7 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).APGAR score < 7 was seen in 3 in group I and 5 in group II. NICU admission was seen in 6 in group I and 3 in group II, NICU stay was seen in 4.6 in group I and 5.2 in group II, mortality was seen in 3 in group I and 2 in group II and metabolic acidosis was seen in 5 in group I and 4 in group II. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Both high and low oxytocin doses given in women with delayed labor produced comparable outcomes.