The Effect of Oxytocin in Labor Induction and Augmentation in Obese Women in an Eastern Coastal City of China

Abstract

Background: The problem of obesity during pregnancy is becoming more and more prominent in China. In the past, little attention was paid to the induced labor of obese parturients. Aim: To explore the dose difference of oxytocin and delivery outcome in different BMI parturients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a third-class hospital in Wenzhou from January to October 2019. A total of 644 parturients were divided into normal group (n=130), overweight group (n=316), and obese group (n=197), and were compared on the dosage and continuous infusion time of oxytocin, duration of delivery, and birth outcome. Results: Maternal BMI was positively correlated with the dose and duration of oxytocin infusion. Obese women required a higher dose and longer drip time than women with normal BMI. In comparison with the normal group and overweight group, the obese group had significantly longer duration of first-stage and total stages of labor, and a significantly higher rate of postpartum hemorrhage and intermediate cesarean delivery, and the incidence of large babies. Conclusions: Obese women needed more oxytocin and longer time to achieve vaginal delivery. Obesity is an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes in oxytocin-induced labor.