The Third Stage of Labour

Management of third stage of labour.

Does active management of the third stage of labour confer any benefits over expectant management? A Cochrane review of 7 studies in 8247 women (Begley, 2011) found “The evidence suggested that for women at mixed levels of risk of bleeding, active management showed a reduction in the average risk of maternal primary haemorrhage at time of birth (more than 1000 mL) (average risk ratio (RR) 0.34,...

The Effect of the Timing of Intramuscular Oxytocin Injection on Maternal Bleeding during the Third Stage of Labour

Background and aim: The third stage of labour is one of the most troublesome stages of child delivery. The basic principle of the third stage management is administrating prophylactic uterotonics. However, the time of its administration varies in different hospitals. This study aimed to determine the effect of intramuscular oxytocin injection after emergence of the fetal anterior shoulder or pl...

The Bristol third stage trial: active versus physiological management of third stage of labour.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects on fetal and maternal morbidity of routine active management of third stage of labour and expectant (physiological) management, in particular to determine whether active management reduced incidence of postpartum haemorrhage. DESIGN Randomised trial of active versus physiological management. Women entered trial on admission to labour ward with allocation revea...

Discussion on the Management of the Third Stage of Labour

Active versus expectant management of the third stage of labour.

BACKGROUND Expectant management of the third stage of labour involves allowing the placenta to deliver spontaneously or aiding by gravity or nipple stimulation. Active management involves administration of a prophylactic oxytocic before delivery of the placenta, and usually early cord clamping and cutting, and controlled cord traction of the umbilical cord. OBJECTIVES The objective of this re...