title: Use of oral misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of the oral prostaglandin E1 analogue, misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and thirty-seven consecutive women undergoing vaginal delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  All the women were given 600 micrograms oral misoprostol just after delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rates of postpartum haemorrhage; need for therapeutic oxytocic drugs; retained placenta and length of the third stage of labour.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 6% of the women; the need for therapeutic oxytocics in 5%, retained placenta in 2% and the median length of the third stage was 5 min. Vomiting and diarrhoea in the first hour after delivery occurred in 8% and 3% respectively and shivering in 60%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Misoprostol may be effective in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, and has few side effects. A double blind randomised trial is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: el-Refaey
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Morafa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walder
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodeck
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011181:Postnatal Care; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol