Dosage of oxytocin for augmentation of labor and women’s childbirth experiences: A randomized controlled trial

• Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare childbirth experiences and experience of labor pain in primiparous women who had received high- vs low-dose oxytocin for augmentation of delayed labor. Material and methods: A multicenter, parallel, double-blind randomized controlled trial took place in six Swedish labor wards. Inclusion criteria were healthy primiparous women at term with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, cephalic fetal presentation, spontaneous onset of labor, confirmed delayed labor progress and ruptured membranes. The randomized controlled trial compared high- vs low-dose oxytocin used for augmentation of a delayed labor progress. The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire version 2 (CEQ2) was sent to the women 1month after birth. The CEQ2 consists of 22 items in four domains: Own capacity, Perceived safety, Professional support and Participation. In addition, labor pain was reported with a visual analog scale (VAS) 2hours postpartum and 1month after birth. The main outcome was the childbirth experience measured with the four domains of the CEQ2. The clinical trial number is NCT01587625. Results: The CEQ2 was sent to 1203 women, and a total of 1008 women (83.8%) answered the questionnaire. The four domains of childbirth experience were scored similarly in the high- and low-dose oxytocin groups of women: Own capacity (P=.36), Perceived safety (P=.44), Professional support (P=.84), Participation (P=.49). VAS scores of labor pain were reported as similar in both oxytocin dosage groups. Labor pain was scored higher 1month after birth compared with 2hours postpartum. There was an association between childbirth experiences and mode of birth in both the high- and low-dose oxytocin groups. Conclusions: Different dosage of oxytocin for augmentation of delayed labor did not affect women’s childbirth experiences assessed through CEQ2 1month after birth, or pain assessment 2hours or 1month after birth. © 2020 The Authors. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG)

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

birth

childbirth experience

delayed labor

labor pain

oxytocin augmentation

randomized controlled trial

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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