The effect of dexamethasone therapy on prolonged latent phase of labor: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Background: Shortening the interval between the onset of labor and delivery is useful for both mothers and fetuses. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on the augmentation and the duration of labor in prolonged latent phase of labor. Method: The design of the study was a randomized double-blind clinical trial design, which was conducted in delivery center of Rouhani hospital in Babol (Iran). A total 121 nulliparrous women with a singleton pregnancy and cephalic presentation at 40–42 gestational weeks in prolonged latent phase were randomly assigned to receive 2 ml ampoule dexamethasone 4 mg/mL (the intervention group) and 2 ml ampoule of sterile water for injections (the control group), which were both intramuscularly administered. Then, the Then, the augmentation of labor with the use of intravenous oxytocin infusion (Caspian Tamin Company Iran) (2.5 m units/ per minute) began in both groups. The primary outcome was the duration of time between the onset of augmentation and the second stage of labor. Results: The duration of time between the onset of labor augmentation and the second stage of labor (hours) was 5.6±1.9 in the study group, whereas it was 7.7±1.5 in controls with a significant difference (p ≤ <0.001). In the study group, the duration of time between the onset of labor augmentation and the active phase of labor was lower than that of the control group (p= 0.02). In addition, the duration of the second stage of labor (p <0.001) and the third stage (p