[Evaluation of the suitability of labor induction using the oxytocin stress test]

The authors elaborated an oxytocin loading test with a continual increase of oxytocin, which was used not with regard to the antepartal threat to the foetus but at the same time also for assessing whether induction of labour is advisable. This criterion was not mentioned in the literature so far. For evaluation of the sensitivity of the uterus the mutual association of the index of the uterine cervix, the number of days before childbirth and the necessary dose of oxytocin was used. If the required three contractions developed within the time interval of 10 mins. after the smallest oxytocin dose, the sensitivity of the uterine muscle was evaluated as good, after the double dose as medium, after the largest dose of oxytocin as weak sensitivity. The results of the thus arranged oxytocin loading test are above the borderline of the screening test and pass into the zone of a diagnostic method. To verify this important fact it is necessary to test according to epidemiological criteria the results attained in this so-called "preliminary" group in a more extensive "test" group.