title: Correlation of change in uterine activity to blood loss in the third stage of labour.
abstract: In 47 women, the change in the uterine activity after the administration of a uterotonic agent was correlated with the amount of blood loss during the same period of time. Uterine activity was measured by a Gaeltec catheter-tipped pressure transducer inserted transcervically within 5 min of delivery of the placenta. A uterotonic agent (either intravenous syntocinon, intramuscular syntometrine or oral misoprostol) was given after the insertion of the intrauterine pressure catheter and pressure recorded for another 90 min. Blood loss over the same 2-hour period was collected with absorbent paper which was then assessed by colorimetric measurement of the haemoglobin content in the sample. Our results show that the change in uterine activity is associated with the total blood loss. However, there is a poor linear correlation between the two variables probably because of the biological variation in myometrial activity and differences in coagulation mechanisms in normal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanaja
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arulkumaran
mesh_terms: D001777:Blood Coagulation; D003124:Colorimetry; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007749:Labor Stage, Third; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014599:Uterus / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol; C038346:syntometrine; D010121:Oxytocin; D004874:Ergonovine