A series of 721 consecutive patients having amniotomy without Syntocinon and with Syntocinon at various intervals has been analysed with regard to the amniotomy‐established labour interval, amniotomy‐delivery interval and duration of labour. The effectiveness of amniotomy with and without Syntocinon has been assessed and compared with the results obtained by other workers.
It has been shown that Syntocinon given at the time of amniotomy shortens the amniotomy‐established labour interval and in so doing shortens the amniotomy‐delivery interval. The duration of labour is relatively constant unless Syntocinon is withheld for 6 or more hours after amniotomy.