Ritodrine (n = 101)

Mg sulphate (n = 101)

Nifedipine (n = 101)

P-value1

P-value2

P-value3

Need for additional

tocolysis:

Yes

36 (35.6%)

41 (40.6%)

33 (32.7%)

0.469

0.656

0.243

No

65 (64.4%)

60 (59.4%)

68 (67.3%)

Recurrence of

Labour pains:

Yes

41 (40.6%)

45 (44.6%)

37 (36.6%)

0.569

0.563

0.252

No

60 (59.4%)

56 (55.4%)

64 (63.4%)

Serious maternal

outcome:

Yes

4 (4.0%)

0 (0.0%)

1 (1.0%)

0.121

0.369

1.000

No

97 (96.0%)

101 (100.0%)

100 (99.0%)

Adverse drug

reaction:

Yes

57 (56.4%)

23 (22.8%)

12 (11.9%)

<0.001 *

<0.001 *

0.041*

No

44 (43.6%)

78 (77.2%)

89 (88.1%)

Length of hospital

stay: (days)

Mean ± SD

11.57 ± 10.34

15.43 ± 11.81

8.79 ± 7.08

0.036*

0.067

<0.001 *

Range

2.0 - 70.0

2.0 - 45.0

2.0 - 40.0

Satisfaction with

treatment

Yes

73 (72.3%)

72 (71.3%)

84 (83.2%)

0.876

0.063

0.044*

No

28 (27.7%)

29 (28.7%)

17 (16.8%)