THE EFFECT OF ORAL PROPRANOLOL ON CARDIOTOCOGRAPHY DURING LABOR: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Labor dystocia due to reduced uterine contractions is one of the main causes leading to unplanned cesarean section and is associated with maternal and neonatal complications. Investigation of newer methods to reduce prolonged labor and also to prevent cesarean sections, due to uterine dysfunction, has been requested; regarding no harm, neither to the parturient woman nor to her fetus because of the increased morbidity related to these problems.

In this study which included 103 primipara parturient women with spontaneous onset of labor admitted to Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital. The aim was to evaluate the effect of oral propranolol when administered in the active stage of labor on cardiotocography (CTG) to determine the role of the beta-blockers when received during labor on the uterine contractions and fetal CTG pattern.

The design of the study is a randomized controlled clinical trial where 103 primipara parturient women with spontaneous onset of labor were randomly allocated in two groups. Group (A) include 52 cases received oral propranolol (20mg) in the active stage. Group (B) include 51 cases received placebo. Then all patients were monitored with cardiotocography till delivery and outcomes were recorded. Primary outcomes recorded as effect of propranolol on fetal CTG pattern and uterine contractions, while secondary outcomes as mode of delivery, neonatal APGAR score and neonatal need for NICU.