Background
The use of oxytocin for labour induction is associated with an increased risk of adverse reactions such as increased number of contractions and reduced oxygen supply to the baby. When intravenous oxytocin is initiated, it is current clinical practice at the delivery ward to continue oxytocin stimulation until the child and placenta has been delivered.
However, the optimal duration of oxytocin stimulation for labour to progress with as few complications as possible remains unknown. It is therefore possible that oxytocin stimulation can be paused at an earlier point during the delivery, thereby reducing the risk of adverse events in mother and child, but at the expense of a slightly prolonged labour course.
The purpose of the research
The aim of this research project is to compare continued and discontinued oxytocin stimulation for labour induction when the active phase of labour is established.
We compare the rate of caesarean section between the two regimens and also maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes associated with the two treatment regimens. Furthermore, we evaluate the women’s birth experience, whether establishment of breastfeeding succeeds, and for how long exclusive breastfeeding is practiced.
Four Danish and three Dutch hospitals will be recruiting participants for the study. Nearly 1200 women will be included in the trial.