Effect of Hyoscine Butylbromide in Shortening the Active Phase of the First Stage of Labor in Term Pregnant Women

Abstract

Various studies revealed that what matters for women during labour is short duration painless labour which results to better birth outcome. Various drugs and methods used to hasten labour both traditionally and in modern obstetrics to minimize the risks of prolonged labour. To assess the effects of Hyoscine Butylbromide in shortening active phase of the first stage of labour in term pregnant women. This study was designed as a double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial comparing two groups of 200 term pregnant women, where by the intervention group received 20mg of hyoscine butylbromide intravenously while the control group received 1ml normal saline via the same route during the active phase of labour with cervix dilatation confirmed to be 4-5 centimeters. The progress of labour for both groups was closely monitored and documented according to the principles of active management of labour. Both women and birth attendants were blinded on the contents of the syringes. The mean rate of cervical dilatation in cm per hour in hyoscine group was 2.6±0.9 and in normal saline was 1.8±0.8 the mean difference was statistical significance (p=<0.05). The duration of the active phase of the first stage of labour was shorter in hyoscine group (190.1±128.9) minutes compared to 266.8±123.2 minutes of normal saline group (P=0.001). The characteristics of women including mean age, gestational age and parity were similar in both groups. The Apgar score of hyoscine group and normal saline group were similar and the differences were not statistically significant. Hyoscine butylbromide is effective drug in shortening the active stage of the first stage of labour in term pregnant women. The drug has no effect during the second and the third stage of labour and no obvious adverse effect to mothers and newborn.