Labor stimulation with oxytocin: effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes

Abstract Objective: to evaluate the effects of labor stimulation with oxytocin on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Method: descriptive and analytical study with 338 women who gave birth at a tertiary hospital. Obstetric and neonatal variables were measured and compared in women submitted and non-submitted to stimulation with oxytocin. Statistics were performed using Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Student t-test; and crude Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: stimulation with oxytocin increases the rates of cesarean sections, epidural anesthesia and intrapartum maternal fever in primiparous and multiparous women. It has also been associated with low pH values of umbilical cord blood and with a shorter duration of the first stage of labor in primiparous women. However, it did not affect the rates of 3rd and 4th degree perineal lacerations, episiotomies, advanced neonatal resuscitation, 5-minute Apgar scores and meconium. Conclusion: stimulation with oxytocin should not be used systematically, but only in specific cases. These findings provide further evidence to health professionals and midwives on the use of oxytocin during labor. Under normal conditions, women should be informed of the possible effects of labor stimulation with oxytocin

Risk factors for placenta praevia in Southern Nigeria

Objective: To determine the risk factors for placenta praevia in Ile-Ife, southern Nigeria. Design: A prospective case control study. Setting: A tertiary center - Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, southern Nigeria. Subjects: One hundred and thirty six patients with confirmed placenta praevia constituted the cases. Controls consisted of one hundred and thirty six patients who delivered at term immediately after each indexed case and did not have placenta praevia. Results: Cases and controls were similar in terms of twin deliveries (P=0.72) and past history of uterine surgery (P=0.47). After adjusting for confounders, factors associated with risk of placenta praevia were history of retained placenta [OR=6.7(95% CI 1.2- 36.6)], previous caesarean section [OR=4.7, (95% CI 1.9-11.4)], previous abortion [OR=2.9 (95% CI 1.1-5.1)], grand multiparity [OR=2.1 (95% CI 1.6-7.1)] and age over 35 years [OR=1.4 (95% CI 1.2-6.6)]. Conclusions: From our study, the risk factors for placenta praevia are a history of retained placenta, previous caesarean section, previous abortion, grand multiparity and maternal age over 35 years. (East African Medical Journal: 2002 79(10): 536-538