Abstract

Labour can be defined as the natural and physiological event of delivery of the child. It has been proved that the dilatation of cervix is one of the important factors determining the duration of labour. The prolonged labour will result in maternal exhaustion. In this crucial situation, certain drugs which will overcome the functional over activity of the circular muscles of cervix. The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of drugs - Drotaverine Hydrochloride and Valethamate Bromide in Shortening the duration of active phase of labour.
Among the patients in the study group, most of the subjects involved were of active fertile age group. The rate of cervical dilatation in active phase was more in group II and least in group I. Mean duration of II-stage of labour was found to be more in group-I followed by group III and II. Active phase first injection delivery interval was more in group I and least in group II. The character of amniotic fluid was mostly clear in all the three groups. Mode of delivery was normal vaginal delivery mostly in all the three groups. While observation of relation between drugs and fetal outcome, APGAR score was >7/10 in all the three groups at 1 minute and 5 minutes after delivery.  Mean duration of active phase, Mean rate of cervical dilatation & Mean active phase are significant among the three groups.
Drotaverine hydrochloride is a superior cervical dilatation agent drug which significantly reduces the duration of labour with minimal ill effects on the mother and the fetus. It is significantly better than Valethamate bromide with minimal unwanted side effects due to its selective action.