Rectal Misoprostol versus Intravenous Oxytocin in the Active Management of the Third Stage of Labour
Abstract
Objectives: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) at third stage of labour may cause maternal morbidity. This study compared efficacy of rectal misoprostol and intravenous oxytocin in the active management of third stage of labour. Methods: The study involved 188 subjects in two groups. Group A was given Misoprostol 800µg rectally and group B was given oxytocin 10IU intravenously at the delivery of anterior shoulder of the baby. Results: The amount of blood loss was >500 ml in 12 patients in which 8 (8.5% from group A) were from group A and 4 (4.3%) were from group B. The frequency of PPH was statistically same in both study groups (P value = 0.62). The mean change of Hb in group A was 2.71 ± 0.15 g/dl and in group B 9.10 ± 1.23 g/dl. Conclusion: Results suggested that I/V oxytocin is more effective compared to rectal misoprostol for the active management of the third stage of labour.