Effect of Normal Saline Infusion Versus Dextrose 5% Infusion on the Duration of Labor in Nulliparous Women Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

During labor, it is common for women to have no or little nutrient intake, inspite of the fact that the demand of energy increases as a result of skeletal and smooth muscle contraction (Mendelson et al., 2002). Glucose is the main substrate for pregnant uterus. Adequate resources of glucose is needed to maintain exercise tolerance and muscle efficiency, because these are important factors in the progress of human labor and parturition. Therefore, it can be postulated that dysfunctional or prolonged labor procedure, a leading indication for primary cesarean delivery, could at least in part be raised from inadequate uterine forces or inappropriate coordinated contractions because of inadequate avilability of the substrate (Steingrimsdottir et al., 1995). Garite et al, demonstrated that by increasing the rate of maternal hydration, a reduction in frequency of prolonged labor could be achieved, and possibly there will be a lesser need for oxytocin and cesarean delivery (Garite et al., 2000). Administration of a dextrose solution, regardless of concentration, was associated with a shortened labor course in term vaginally delivered nulliparas subjects in active labor (Vineet et al., 2009).