Oxytocin augmentation of dysfunctional labor

The contractility of the pregnant human uterus is measured through the recording of the amniotic fluid pressure'. by means of a thin polyethylene catheter introduced into the amniotic sac through the anterior abdominal wall and connected with a Sanborn electromanometer, model 121C, which is plugged to a Sanborn Poly-Viso recorder, model 1.50.t The intensity (amplitude) of each contraction is measured by the rise in pressure (mm. Hg) it produces in the amniotic fluid. The frequency is expressed by the number of contractions per 10 min. The product (intensity x frequency) of the contractions is called uterine activity and is expressed in Montevideo Units (LIont. U.) A detailed description of the methods for the quantitative analysis of the records of amniotic fluid pressure has been published recently.3 The tonus (lower pressure between the contractions) is also measured.

H. A. Kelsey

Papers

The pitocin drip.