Effect of Phloroglucinol in Shortening Active Labor in Primigravidas at Term

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the difference in the average length of the active phase of labor between patients who received phloroglucinol and those who received a placebo.

Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Holy Family Hospital, Gynae Unit 1, Rawalpindi. 60 primigravidas at term, ranging in age from twenty to thirty-five, who were in the active first stage of labor and had a singleton pregnancy were randomly assigned to two groups A and B. Group A received phloroglucinol 40mg repeated after one hour at cervical dilatation of between 4cm to 6cm. While the Group B received a placebo 10mL of normal saline. Patients were monitored for vital signs and fetal heart rate, and the progress of labor was plotted on a standard WHO partogram. Maternal outcomes were measured in terms of the average duration of labor in both groups and any untoward reaction of the drug under study by the attending obstetrician.

Results: In our study, the mean age was calculated as 27.97 + 4.25 years in Group A and 26.10 + 3.92 years in Group B, mean gestational age was calculated as 39.13 + 0.97 weeks in Group A and 39.37 + 0.96 weeks in Group B. The mean BMI of the patients was recorded as 28.47 + 2.76 in Group A and 28.37 + 2.52 in Group B. Duration of labor was recorded as 205.06 + 4.64 in Group A and 309.33 + 5.71 minutes in Group B.

Conclusion: We concluded that the mean duration of active labor is significantly shorter in patients receiving phloroglucinol when compared to those receiving a placebo.