title: [Postpartum hemorrhage--prophylaxis and treatment in Norway].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Routine oxytocic prophylaxis is known to significantly reduce the risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage (> 1,000 ml) and need for blood transfusion after delivery. To what extent this evidence is implemented in clinical practice in Norway is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  A telephone questionnaire survey was carried out in September 2001 to evaluate the routine clinical practice for prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage in Norwegian delivery units.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were available for 55 out of 57 institutions with a delivery unit. Routine third stage prophylaxis with 5-10 IU oxytocin was practiced in 47% of delivery units. Intravenous oxytocin infusion was used primarily in all the delivery units for the treatment of established primary postpartum haemorrhage. 74% of units used methylergometrine, 21% misoprostol as the second-line treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite evidence for the use of oxytocics for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, less than half of delivery units in Norway practice routine prophylaxis in the third stage of labour. Norwegian women may benefit if all maternity care providers implement evidence-based practice.
authors.affiliation: Kvinneklinikken Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge 9038 Tromsø. ashild.bjornerem@ism.uit.no
authors.forename: Ashild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bjørnerem
authors.forename: Ganesh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Pål
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Øian
authors.forename: Jan Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Maltau
mesh_terms: D002260:Carboprost / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008755:Methylergonovine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009664:Norway; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol; D010121:Oxytocin; D002260:Carboprost; D008755:Methylergonovine