A Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial Comparing Oxytocin Low-Dose and High-Dose Regimens for Labor Augmentation

The rate of cesarean delivery has continued to dramatically increase, and arrested labor is the main contributor to this major obstetric concern. Unfortunately, the most effective dosing regimen of oxytocin, which is administered to augment contractions to overcome arrested labor, remains unresolved. Despite several randomized clinical trials showing that higher-dose oxytocin lowers cesarean section rates and shortens labor duration without jeopardizing neonatal outcomes, unfortunate study design biases have prevented the adoption of higher-dose oxytocin regimens into clinical practice. We propose a double blind randomized clinical trial comparing low-dose and high-dose oxytocin regimens in consenting women giving birth for the first time, in spontaneous labor but without delayed labor progress. We believe that the outcome of cesarean delivery rate will be improved with higher-dose oxytocin without other significant maternal or neonatal complications. We are confident that our work will help to answer an important question in the field of obstetrics that will help to advance the quality of care of pregnant women not only at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, but also across the world.