High and low dose oxytocin for augmentation of labor

Dystocia is the most common cause of cesarean section in primigravida, This would be improved by adequate augmentation of labor. The augmentation methods included amniotomy, prostaglandins or oxytocin adminiatration. Intravenous oxytocin infusion was a commonly method used for augmentation of labor, but standard regimen is still inconclusive. The prior study reported that high dose oxytocin was significantly decrease cesarean section rate without serious maternal and fetal complications when compared to low dose oxytocin. However, some studies showed that high dose was not superior to low dose in augmentation of labor but only shorten delivery time. After we intensively searched and reviewed the literature, we found that no prior study has been conducted in Thailand. We therefore would like to study the effectiveness and safety of high dose oxytocin in augmentation of labor when compared to low dose oxytocin. The primary endpoint is cesarean section rate and the secondary endpoints are duration of delivery and maternal and fetal complications.