Induction of labor is one of the most common procedures performed on labor and delivery. In the United States, more than 20 percent of pregnant women undergo an induction of labor \[1\]. There is data from small, randomized studies that demonstrates the effectiveness of propranolol, a non-selective beta-blocker, for labor augmentation. This literature suggests a decrease in the amount of time to delivery and a possible reduction in cesarean section rates when propranolol is used in conjunction with oxytocin for induction of labor compared to oxytocin alone \[2-8\]. Alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors have been identified in the human myometrium. Propranolol has been shown in studies to enhance uterine contractions and may be a useful tool in this population of women. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess whether the administration of propranolol at time of labor dystocia reduces time to delivery.
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time to delivery
Timeframe: Number of hours from induction to delivery of neonate; up to 72 hours.