Labour in patients with a caesarean section scar. The place of oxytocin augmentation.

Fifty-two patients who had had a single previous caesarean section were submitted to a trial of scar. Labour was monitored by internal tocography and direct fetal heart rate monitoring. Oxytocin infusion was employed when uterine work proved to be inadequate. The oxytocin-augmented and unstimulated groups were compared. Oxytocin augmentation improved uterine work and did not result in significant fetal or maternal morbidity or mortality. Internal tocography was found to be of value, but fetal heart rate monitoring was essential.