Low-Dose Versus High-Dose Oxytocin Dosing for Induction and Augmentation of Labor

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Trial end date: 2026-04-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Female

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare oxytocin infusion rates for induction and augmentation of labor in nulliparous women. The main question[s] it aims to answer are:

• Does a high dose oxytocin infusion protocol affect length of induction to delivery interval?

• Does a high dose oxytocin infusion protocol affect mode of delivery?

• Does a high dose oxytocin infusion protocol affect maternal and neonatal outcomes?

Participants will be randomized to either low- or high-dose oxytocin groups:

• The low dose group will receive an infusion to start at 2 milli-units/min and will be increased by 2 milli-units/min every 20 minutes. The maximum rate of infusion is 40 milli-units/min.

• The high dose group will receive an infusion to start at 6 milli-units/min and will be increased by 6 milli-units/min every 20 minutes. Maximum rate of infusion is 40 milli-units/min.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
• Treatments: Oxytocin

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women aged 18-50 years old

• Singleton gestation

• Nulliparous

• Vertex presentation

• Gestational age greater than or equal to 37 weeks

• No prior uterine surgery

• Presents for elective or medically indicated induction of labor

• Need for augmentation of labor with oxytocin

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous cervical ripening using non-mechanical methods

• Patient unable or unwilling to provide verbal consent

• Contraindications to vaginal delivery

• Fetal demise or life-limiting anomaly

• Allergy to oxytocin

• Non-reassuring fetal heart tracing prior to inclusion

• Maternal pulmonary edema prior to inclusion

• Fetal growth restriction