Abstract
Background: Hyoscine butyl bromide (Buscopan) is being used as an agent for reducing the duration of labour. There are however conflicting results on the effect of this agent on cervical dilation. Materials and Methods: This was an open label clinical trial of one hundred and thirty two (132) pregnant women in labour. Women were grouped to receive either 20 mg of hyoscine butyl bromide intramuscularly at the onset of active phase labour or placebo “Normal saline”. The main outcome measure was to compare the duration of first stage labour in the study and control groups as well as feto-maternal outcomes. Relevant data were collected using a proforma. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: A total of 132 were randomised and 123 yielded for analysis. Of these 59 received hyoscine butyl bromide and 64 received placebo. There was no significant difference in the mean duration of active labour to second stage between the drug and placebo arms (312.5 versus 305.3 minutes, respectively, P = 0.788). The feto-maternal outcomes were similar between both arms. Conclusion: Hyoscine butyl bromide does not shorten the duration of labour in spontaneous labour. It also does not change feto-maternal outcomes.
Highlights
There was no significant difference in the mean duration of active labour to second stage between the drug and placebo arms (312.5 versus 305.3 minutes, respectively, P = 0.788)
Hyoscine butyl bromide does not shorten the duration of labour in spontaneous labour
Prolonged labour and its attendant complications contribute immensely to the high maternal morbidity and mortality recorded in the developing countries [1] [2]
Summary
Prolonged labour and its attendant complications contribute immensely to the high maternal morbidity and mortality recorded in the developing countries [1] [2]. Hyoscine butyl bromide (Buscopan) is being used as an agent for reducing the duration of labour. Women were grouped to receive either 20 mg of hyoscine butyl bromide intramuscularly at the onset of active phase labour or placebo “Normal saline”. The main outcome measure was to compare the duration of first stage labour in the study and control groups as well as feto-maternal outcomes. Results: A total of 132 were randomised and 123 yielded for analysis Of these 59 received hyoscine butyl bromide and 64 received placebo. Conclusion: Hyoscine butyl bromide does not shorten the duration of labour in spontaneous labour.
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