The effect of hyoscine butylbromide on the first stage of labour in term pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether hyoscine butylbromide shortens the first stage of labour, without an increase in maternal or neonatal complications.


METHODS
Randomised, double-blinded, controlled trial.


METHODS
The Antenatal clinics and Labour and Delivery ward of the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.


METHODS
Women in spontaneous labour at term.


METHODS
Either drug or placebo was given intravenously once the women entered active labour.


METHODS
The duration of the first stage of labour. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of the duration of the second and third stages of labour, blood loss at delivery, rate of caesarean section, and APGAR scores in the neonates between the two groups.


RESULTS
A total of 129 women yielded data for analysis. Of these, 69 women received the placebo and 60 received hyoscine butylbromide. The mean time for the first stage in the control group was 228 minutes, compared with 156 minutes in the drug group, representing a decrease of 31.7% (P = 0.001). There was no significant change in the duration of the second and third stages of labour, and no difference in blood loss or in APGAR scores. There was a slight (but statistically insignificant) increase in the caesarean section rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyoscine butylbromide is effective in significantly reducing the duration of the first stage of labour, and it is not associated with any obvious adverse outcomes in mother or neonate.
Samuels
L A
LA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Child Health, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. lsamuels@cwjamaica.com
Christie
L
L
Roberts-Gittens
B
B
Fletcher
H
H
Frederick
J
J
D001034:Apgar Score; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects*; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013997:Time Factors
D010276:Parasympatholytics; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide