A one year case control study on oxytocin use in labor and its effect on maternal: fetal outcomes

Abstract

Background: Oxytocin is a drug commonly administered drug to a pregnant lady during labor, nowadays even without an indication, in the hope that the progress of labor can be improved and the need for cesarean delivery may be reduced. This study emphasizes the need for using safeguards like use of checklists before starting oxytocin augmentation, therefore ensuring its rational use to minimize maternal and neonatal complications when augmenting labor with oxytocin, including rigorous indications, use of minimal useful dose and careful efficacy evaluation.Methods: This is a retrospective, Case-Control, descriptive and analytical study. Study population included women delivering in labor room of Gandhi Memorial Hospital associated with Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa, from July 2015 to June 2016, then after data were compiled and assessed in department of pharmacology G.R. Medical College, Gwalior.Results: Results show that the use of oxytocin in labor stimulation can be detrimental to both the mother and the newborn, since they indicate that the use of oxytocin is associated with increased cesarean section rates both in primiparous and multiparous. Furthermore, it was also observed, a significant association between stimulation with oxytocin and low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes both, of the newborns.Conclusions: Therefore, it may conclude that stimulation with oxytocin should not be used without any indication, but only in very specific cases, in which its use is particularly necessary. These results provide to health professionals a better understanding of the effects of the use of oxytocin during labor, which can be useful for decision-making in clinical practice.