Induction of labour using a concentrated oxytocin infusion administered in geometric progression in a peristaltic...

A new regime for oxytocin titration was introduced into the Labour Ward, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore. It utilises an oxytocin infusion of 10, 20 or 40 mU/ml administered in geometric progression in a peristaltic infusion pump. A total of 91 patients classified according to parity and cervical score were studied. An overall vaginal delivery rate of 92.3% was obtained. The mean induction-delivery time for nulliparous and multiparous patients was 5.3 hrs (+/- 2.6 hrs) and 3.6 hrs (+/- 1.9 hrs) respectively. Almost 90% of patients who had a successful induction required only one pint of infusion. Of those babies who were delivered vaginally, all had an Apgar score of 7 or more at 5 minutes.