A randomised controlled study In women undergoing an induction of labour to determine if the rate of intravenous fluid used impacts upon the duration of labour

Arm 1. Women requiring an induction of labour with oxytocin will be randomised to a background infusion of Hartmann's Compound Sodium Lactate (CSL) at 40 ml/hr. The background infusion of Hartmann's CSL will commence at the time of induction of labour, which is defined as the commencement of a separate intravenous infusion of oxytocin. The midwife caring for this patient will be responsible for the commencement of the intravenous line of oxytocin, as well as commencement of the intravenous line of Hartmann's CSL. The background infusion of Hartmann's CSL will cease, at the same time that the intravenous infusion of oxytocin ceases, which is post delivery of the placenta. The third stage of labour will be actively managed by controlled cord traction of the placenta and IM injection of 10 IU of oxytocin into the thigh of the woman. The background infusion of Hartmann's is a continuous infusion, the rate of which is not varied throughout labour. No intravenous fluid boluses of Hartmann's CSL or any other crystalloid is allowed for this study. The appropriate rate of the background infusion of Hartmann's CSL will be verified by an audit of the patient's fluid chart.