Oxytocin versus Methylergometrine in the Active Management of Third Stage of Labour

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Oxytocin versus Methylergometrine in active management of third stage of labour in reducing risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Methods: This study was carried out by randomly assigning into two groups with 150 women in each group. Group 1 included patients who received injection Oxytocin 10 IU intramuscular within one minute of the birth of the baby. Injection Methylergometrine (0.2 mg) was given intravenously at the delivery of anterior shoulder of the baby to women in Group 2. Outcome measures were the duration of third stage, blood loss, pre and post-delivery hematocrit, side effects and incidence of PPH. Statistical analysis was done using Chi square test, Fischers test, Mann Whitney test, and t test. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean duration of third stage of labour, mean blood loss, post-delivery fall in hematocrit and need for additional uterotonics were significantly less in the Group 2. However side effects like nausea, vomiting and rise in blood pressure were significantly higher in women in Group 2 (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Methylergometrine is more effective than Oxytocin in reducing the duration of third stage of labour and blood loss but has significant side effects like nausea, vomiting and rise in blood pressure.