The ED50 and ED95 of oxytocin infusion rate for maintaining uterine tone during elective caesarean delivery: a dose-finding study.

In parturients who receive a 1 IU bolus of oxytocin during elective cesarean delivery, an infusion rate of oxytocin at 7.72 IU h- 1 will produce adequate uterine tone in 95% of parturients. These results suggest that the total dose of oxytocin administered in the postpartum period can be decreased when administered as an infusion after oxytocin bolus.