Preliminary sedation and pharmacological doses of oxytocin in induction of labor

In 60 primiparas labor was induced at term by amniotomy, i.v. injection of meperidine-promethazine-diazepam and pharmacological doses of oxytocin increased stepwise until an optimal uterine activity of 276 Montevideo units was reached. 30 primiparas, induced at term by the conventional method of amniotomy and physiological doses of oxytocin followed by i.v. meperidin-promethazine when labor was established, were used for comparison of effectiveness and safety. Duration of labor was significantly shorter in the study group (3.8 ± 2.1 hr as against 7.9 ± 4.2 hr in the control group, p < 0.02), with the induction-delivery interval always less than 10 tours, and without failed inductions. In the control group, 30% of deliveries lasted more than 10 hours and two patients had Caesarian sections because of failed induction. Incidence of tetanic contractions was similar in both groups. In the study group, no maternal morbidity was recorded and all infants, with a single exception, had one-minute Apgar scores of 9-10.