Augmentation of labor with higher doses of oxytocin does not reduce rate of cesarean sections

Reviewed by James Ives, M.Psych. (Editor)Jan 29 2019

Delayed labor increases the risk of a cesarean section, even among women who receive oxytocin for augmentation of labor. The rate of cesarean section among first-time mothers is not reduced if the administered dose is doubled either, according to a dissertation from Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

In her dissertation, Lotta Selin, a midwife, studied data on a total of 2,775 births in Sweden. She has focused on the risk and outcomes of delayed labor and how augmentation of labor with oxytocin is managed.

"Other methods of treatment need to be explored more, such as dosages of oxytocin adapted to specific groups of women and methods applied during labor that can stimulate the body's own production of the oxytocin hormone," says Lotta Selin.

Delayed labor is common among first-time mothers, which may lead to a cesarean section and a negative birth experience. In the material studied, the rate of emergency cesarean section among first-time mothers with delayed labor was 17.1 percent compared with 2.3 percent for women in the group with a normal progress.

A higher dose of oxytocin, compared with the dose routinely administered today, did not reduce the rate of cesarean section nor did it affect the birth experience. On the other hand, labor was shortened by an average of 23 minutes. No other differences could be demonstrated.

Use and abuse

In health care in Sweden, it is common to administer synthetic oxytocin as an intravenous drip for augmentation of labor According to the dissertation, however, there was substantial overuse and misuse of oxytocin.

"Women whose labor progress was normal also received augmentation with oxytocin to speed up the progress, a treatment that can stimulate excessively frequentuterine contractions, which in turn can cause fetal distress," Selin points out.

However, when guidelines and controls are carefully followed, i.e. both the woman's contractions and the baby's heart sounds are continuously monitored during administration of oxytocin, no adverse effects on the mother and child has been seen.

Diminished confidence

The fact remains that unnecessary treatment can limit the woman's ability to move freely and in particular diminish her confidence in her own ability to give birth, Selin maintains. Selin has worked as a midwife in obstetric care for 27 years and has conducted research on delayed labor and treatment with oxytocin for 17 years.