Antepartum stress cardiotocography using buccal oxytocin

The use of buccal pitocin in the performance of stressed antenatal cardiotocography was studied. Sixty-three tests were performed on 40 patients. All the patients were followed through labour and delivery. The results were evaluated and compared with those where an intravenous oxytocin infusion was used. Buccal pitocin produced comparable uterine contractions to those obtained by intravenous oxytocin, with similar test results. The avoidance of venepuncture and infusion was a positive advantage of this method of applying the stress.