Clinical effects and mechanism of chanlibao in accelerating second stage of labor

Abstract

To observe the clinical effects and the mechanism of Chanlibao (CLB, a preparation of Chinese herbal medicine) in accelerating second stage of labor, primiparae were divided into 3 groups at random. CLB or oxytocin (OTC) was given to the CLB group (n = 80) and the OTC group (n = 52) respectively. The third group served as controls (n = 29). The control group consisted of women experiencing natural labor and to whom no drug was given. The time of second stage of labor and prognosis of mother and newborn of different groups were observed and compared. And intrauterine pressure and fetal heart rate were monitored by means of electronic monitoring. Isolated uterine muscular tissue was used to observe the reactivity to CLB. The results showed that the time of second stage of labor and postpartum hemorrhage in the CLB group were less than those in the control group and the average intrauterine pressure in the former was higher than that in latter, so was the contraction strength of isolated uterine muscle, but with no difference as compared with the OTC group. No side effect of CLB was found. It is concluded that CLB could obviously strengthen uterine contraction and accelerate second stage of labor. Moreover, it is inexpensive, convenient and free of side effect. It can be used as a new, safe and effective alternative for improving prognosis of mother and newborn, especially those not indicated for oxytocin or profuse infusion.