[Parturients are under-treated. Only 21 out of 55 clinics administer oxytocics routinely during the third stage of labor].
A questionnaire answered by all 55 Swedish labour wards in 1995 showed oxytocic treatment to be given routinely to all parturients during the third stage of labour at only 38% (21/55) of the units, and that five of these 21 units were considering cessation of the practice. At a further 25 units the treatment was given routinely only in selected risk cases, the most common risk factors being a history of postpartum haemorrhage (a criterion at 20 units), multiple pregnancy (14 units), prolonged labour (12 units), and a large baby (8 units). Of the remaining nine units, where oxytocic treatment was given only on clinical indications (i.e., postpartum haemorrhage), two were considering the introduction of routine treatment. In view of results obtained in a recent randomised, placebo controlled Swedish study, the authors of the article conclude that, if clinical practice in this respect has remained unchanged since the questionnaire study was performed, Swedish parturients are undertreated with oxytocics during the third stage of labour.
Fogelstam
K
K
Förlossningsavdelningen, Ostersunds sjukhus.
Nordström
L
L
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007749:Labor Stage, Third; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin