In a prospective randomized study spontaneous and oxytocin induced labor "for convenience" have been compared with respect to uterine activity, duration of labor, the condition of the fetus and the newborn infant. The study consists of 84 normal patients, of whom 43 were induced at full term by amniotomy and oxytocin infusion using the Cardiff Infusion System Mark II; 41 patients served as controls. No difference in maternal age, number of previous pregnancies and pelvic score one week before the day of delivery were found between the groups. The following parameters were calculated: duration of labor, uterine activity, amount of bleeding in the third stage of labor, number of early and late decelerations as well as number of episodes of bradycardia in the CTG-recordings, birth weight, Apgar score one and five minutes post-delivery and blood gases in mother and child 60 seconds after delivery. No significant differences between the two groups were found. It is concluded that there are no increased risks to mother or fetus compared to normal labor provided that there is cephalic presentation and normal pregnancy, careful selection with respect to the length of pregnancy and the condition of the cervix and that the Cardiff infusion system is used with intrauterine pressure recording and continuous fetal heart monitoring.

The effect of induction of labour on the foetus and the newborn was investigated in a prospective randomized study. 41 neonates were studied after induction at full term by amniotomy and intravenous oxytocin infusion. The infusion rate was regulated by the intraamniotic pressure using the Cardiff infusion pump system. 39 neonates served as controls where the labour started spontaneously followed by amniotomy. In both groups foetal heart rate monitoring intraamniotic pressure recordings were performed. There were no differences in Apgar score and pH in cord blood between the groups. The newborns were evaluated the first and the fifth day of life with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and with a modified Prechtl neurological examination. There were no differences in behaviour and neurological state between the two groups. However, within the groups there were significant differences between the first and the fifth day concerning both neonatal behaviour and neurological state.

The effect of induction of labor on the neonatal bilirubin levels was investigated in a prospective randomized study. Forty-three infants born after elective induction with oxytocin using the Cardiff infusion system and 38 infants born after spontaneous delivery were studied. Several factors other than oxytocin administration which could influence the bilirubin levels such as gestational age, placental transfusion and feeding routines did not differ between the two groups. There were no differences with regard to pH in umbilical vein. Apgar scores, haemoglobin and erythrocyte volume fractions of bilirubin levels neonatally. Thus there was no evidence of an association between induction of labor with oxytocin and jaundice during the neonatal period.

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