Effect of Intramuscular Administration of Dexamethasone on Shortening of the Duration of Induction of Labor

Abstract

Abstract Background Induction of labor refers to iatrogenic stimulation of uterine contractions to accomplish delivery prior to the onset of spontaneous labor. Induction of labor is undertaken when both of the following criteria are met: Continuing the pregnancy is believed to be associated with greater maternal or fetal risk than intervention to deliver the pregnancy, and there is no contraindication to vaginal birth. Aim of the Work to evaluate the effect of intramuscular administration of dexamethasone on the duration of vaginal delivery in women undergoing induction of labor. Patients and Methods This double-blinded randomized controlled study was conducted on 60 termed pregnant women who were divided into two groups, Dexamethasone group: injected with 2 ml of the product (dexamethasone®) 12 hours before initiation of labor induction and placebo group: injected with 2 ml distilled water 12 hours before initiation of labor induction. The two groups were induced by the same standard protocol. Determination of interval between initiation of induction and beginning of active phase, duration of active phase, duration of 2nd stage and duration 3rd stage have been detected for both groups and statistically analyzed. Results There were significant statistical differences between the two studied groups as regard rate of cervical dilatation. There were high significant statistical differences between the two studied groups as regard duration between initiation of labor induction and beginning of active phase of labor, duration of active phase of labor and duration of second and third stage of labor. Conclusion an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone before labor induction is found to shorten the duration of labor induction by decreasing the interval between the initiation of induction and the beginning of the active phase, duration of active phase and duration of second stage of labor with no observed maternal or neonatal complications.