Goals of IV oxytocin are to affect labor progress by stimulating contractions of normal intensity, duration, and frequency and to avoid tachysystole and its potential harmful sequelae. As with other high-alert medications, the lowest dose possible to achieve the desired clinical effect should be used. Complications related to excessive oxytocin and/or uterine tachysystole are not limited to the fetus. Associated adverse maternal events include pain, placental abruption, uterine rupture, unnecessary cesarean birth for nonreassuring (indeterminate or abnormal) FHR patterns, postpartum hemorrhage, and infection (ACOG, 1999; Crane & Young, 1998).