title: The evolving management of the third stage of labour.
abstract: The immediate postpartum period is a risky period because life-threatening events can occur unexpectedly, and lead to death if they are not managed promptly. Appropriate management of the third stage of labour can reduce severe postpartum haemorrhage and death. This commentary summarizes how various management techniques of third stage of labour evolved to date and the evidence base for current international recommendations.
authors.affiliation: UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. gulmezoglum@who.int
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gülmezoglu
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Souza
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007749:Labor Stage, Third; D008405:Massage; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000639:trends*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics