Effect of intramuscular administration of dexamethasone on the duration of labor induction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine - Ain Shams Universityt

2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University

Abstract

Introduction: induction of labor is a common obstetric procedure which is performed for a variety of medical and non-medical indications. If the cervix is unfavorable, prior ripening of the cervix makes induction of labor easier and more successful. There are different methods for ripening of the cervix and making it ready for induction. These methods included medical methods such as the administration of prostaglandins and mechanical methods such as extra amniotic saline infusion, traction on the cervix with Foley catheter and laminaria.  Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of intramuscular dexamethazone injection prior to induction in improving progression and duration of labour phases.  Subjects and Methods: This study started with 100 Nulliparous Pregnant women who were conducted at the labor wards of Ain-Shams Maternity Hospital. The studied subjects were randomized into two groups ; dexamethasone group (group A) including 50 Nulliparous women (N=50) and control group (group B) including 50 Nulliparous woman (N=50).
Results: In this study, the duration of active and second stages decreased without changing the mode of delivery. The study showed no significant statistical differences between the two studied groups regarding fetal heart rate. The duration of second stage in dexamethasone group was shorter than in the control group. Dexamethasone intramuscularly prior to induction significantly shortens duration of normal labor in normal parturient with minimal complications.
Conclusion: An intramuscular injection of dexamethasone before labor induction shortens 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.
Recommendation: Further research with more patients undertaken for the assessment of the effects of the corticosteroids on the duration of labor on the patients with unfavorable cervix as well as maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality rate.

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