VIAGRA could slash labour times in half and prevent emergency c-sections, experts say.
The erectile dysfunction drug significantly increases pelvic blood flow – which helps oxygen reach the baby’s brain.
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The revelation comes following a study by the Mater Research Institute in Queensland which examined the effects of Viagra on 300 women during childbirth.
They gave Sildenafil, also known as Viagra, or a placebo to the participants, all from Australia, and found a 50 per cent reduction in emergency births in women who take Viagra.
The use of forceps in delivering babies was also halved as well as the time spent in the later stages of labour.
Professor Sailesh Kumar said it is likely it enhance the blood flow to the uterus and placenta during childbirth due to the fact Viagra increases blood flow to the pelvis for men and women.
Increasing blood flow improves the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the baby and this may reduce the risk of the baby becoming distressed in labour
Professor Sailesh Kumar, the Mater Research Institute at the University of Queensland
He told ABC: “Increasing blood flow improves the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the baby and this may reduce the risk of the baby becoming distressed in labour.”
If blood flow is not restored, the flow of oxygen to the baby’s brain can become compromised and result in health issues such as cerebral palsy.
Professor Kumar added: “Emergency caesarean births are associated with poorer results for both the mother and baby,’ said Professor Kumar.
What is Viagra?
Viagra is the brand name for Sildenafil, and is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.
A common misconception is that it makes you sexually aroused, but in fact, it only works if you are already aroused.
When a man is sexually stimulated, the nervous system in the erectile tissue of his penis releases nitric oxide, which then stimulates an enzyme to produce cGMP, which in turn relaxes the muscle cells.
This makes the arteries in the penis dilate so that blood can flow there more easily, and the erectile tissue itself fills with blood – producing an erection.
Viagra maintains the level of cGMP in the smooth muscle cells, allowing for an increased blood flow, increasing the chances of achieving an erection.
As of spring 2018, Viagra became available over the counter in the UK, saving many men from erectile dysfunction issues.
“So these preliminary results showing a decrease in emergency caesareans using Sildenafil is very promising.”
Sildenafil has been used in a previous study in the Netherlands with women whose babies were severely underdeveloped and were considered at risk.
In that study, higher doses of the drug were given to the mothers much earlier in their pregnancy, but the research was abandoned after 11 babies developed lung problems and died.
The Queensland study was paused while researchers gathered more information about the Dutch trial.
Professor Kumar said there are differences between the two studies and he hasn’t seen any side effects so far.
Professor Kumar and his team now hope to establish a larger study of nearly 8,500 women in labour to test their preliminary findings.
“We want to see if women who are on this drug actually have better outcomes for their babies,” he said.
