Acomparative study of efficacy of intrmuscular oxytocin with controlled cord traction vs per rectal misoprost in the manegement of third stage of labour

Pregnancy and child birth involves significant health risk even for women with no pre-existing health problems. Third stage of labour is the time from delivery of the baby until delivery of the placenta and is the most crucial stage of labour. Post partum hemorrhage complicates approximately 4% of vaginal deliveries and estimates are that it causes significant morbidity and 25% of all the child birth related maternal deaths (1).The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 10 units oxytocin intramuscular with controlled cord traction vs 400 micrograms of misoprost per rectally in reducing blood loss in third stage of labour ,effect on haemoglobin of the patient ,need of oxytocics or blood transfusion and associated side effects and complications. A prospective non-randomised uncontrolled study enrolling 200 women divided into 2 groups was carried out. It was observed that there was significantly lower average blood loss in oxytocin group (152.34 ml) when compared with Misoprost group (237.48ml) .The duration of third stage of labour was also considerably lower in oxytocin group when compared to that in the misoprost group. it can be concluded that oxytocin is more potent uterotonic with rapid onset of action, and minimal side effects.