When the first stage of labor is protracted
or arrested, oxytocin is commonly
recommended. Several studies have evaluated
the optimal duration of oxytocin
augmentation in the face of labor protraction
or arrest. A prospective study of
the progress of labor in 220 nulliparous
women and 99 multiparous women who
spontaneously entered labor evaluated the
benefit of prolonging oxytocin augmentation
for an additional 4 hours (for a total
of 8 hours) in patients who were dilated at
least 3 cmand had unsatisfactory progress
(either protraction or arrest) after an