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Start of induction of labour with oxytocin in the morning or in the evening. A randomised controlled trial
Author(s) -
Bakker JJ,
De Vos R,
Pel M,
Wisman C,
Van Lith JM,
Mol BWJ,
Van Der Post JA
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.02102.x
Subject(s) - evening , morning , medicine , oxytocin , randomized controlled trial , apgar score , anesthesia , obstetrics , pregnancy , birth weight , physics , astronomy , biology , genetics
Objective The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of induced labour with intravenous oxytocin with a start in the evening versus in the morning. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Labour wards of three hospitals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Participants Women with an indication for induction of labour with intravenous oxytocin. Methods Included women were randomized to either the evening group with a start of induction of labour at 21:00 hours, or the morning group with a start at 07:00 hours. Main outcome measures Primary outcome was duration of labour. Secondary outcomes were instrumental delivery rate, adverse neonatal outcome defined as an Apgar score below 7 after 5 minutes, number and indications of paediatric consults and neonatal admissions, duration of second stage, number of intrapartum infections and necessity of pain relief. Results We randomised 371 women. Mean duration of labour was not significantly different (primiparae: morning 12 hours and 8 minutes versus evening 11 hours and 22 minutes, P value 0.29; multiparae: morning 7 hours and 34 minutes versus evening 7 hours and 46 minutes, P value 0.70). There were no significant differences in instrumental deliveries rates, number of infections or patient satisfaction. Unexpectedly, neonatal outcome was better in women induced in the evening. Conclusion Induction of labour with intravenous oxytocin in the evening is equally effective as induction in the morning.