ObjectiveTo test the hpothesis that women receiving intrapartum amnioinfusion have more rapid labors than do ccontrols.Data SourcesProspective clinical trials of amnioinfusion published in major american obstetric and gynecologic journals between 1985 and 1995, identified through aliterature search using MEDLINE and manual index review, were examined.Method of Study SelectionEleven studies that presented data regarding the length of labor were identified. Each study was reviewed for the design, number of subjects enrolled, volume of amnioinfusate, birth weight, maternal parity, interval from amnioinfusate, birth weight, maternal parity, interval from amniorrhexis to delivery, and total length of labor.Tabulation, Integration and ResultsMeta-analysis revealed no differences between amnioinfusion groups and controls with regard to length of labor or the interval between menbrane rupture and delivery.ConclusionAmnioinfusion has no effect on the duration of labor.