The effectiveness of salbutamol as a suppressant of established labour

The effectiveness of beta 2-adrenergic stimulants as suppressants of active labour is well known. This study examines the effects of salbutamol upon established labour in 32 patients undergoing emergency caesarean section. Twenty-five (78,1%) of the patients studied showed a sustained and effective suppression of labour after a bolus intravenous injection of 250 micrograms salbutamol. In 6 of the 7 remaining patients the parameters of uterine activity were also dramatically decreased, but because uterine activity recurred, it had to be further suppressed with an intravenous infusion. There was only 1 refractory case. No serious maternal or fetal side-effects were noted, and patient acceptance was good.