The Effect Upon the Fetus of an Oxytocin Infusion in the Absence of Uterine Hypertonus

Summary The effect of oxytocin administration by the Cardiff Infusion System upon fetal acid‐base balance and the continuous fetal heart rate pattern was measured in ten “Clinically Acceptable Ideal” multigravidae and ten controls. In the absence of uterine hypertonus oxytocin administration was not associated with evidence of fetal asphyxia during the first stage of labour.