[Effects of a policy for reasonable use of oxytocin during spontaneous labor at term].

Objective: To assess the effect of a modified definition of dystocia and of a different timing of interventions during spontaneous labor on the rate of oxytocin use and on its consequences on labor outcome.

Methods: We compared oxytocin use and labor outcome before and after the introduction of a new protocol for the management of spontaneous labor. By protocol, oxytocin use and/or artificial rupture of the membranes was restricted to cases without progress in cervical dilatation for≥1h and/or no progress of fetal descent for≥1h at full dilatation.