Effects of different doses of intraumbilical oxytocin on the third stage of labor.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimal dose of oxytocin to be injected intraumbilically after fetal delivery for active management of the third stage of labor.


METHODS
A prospective randomized study was carried out with 125 primigravidas to compare the duration of the third stage of labor following the intraumbilical administration of 50 mL of a normal saline solution alone (in a control group), or with 10 IU, 20 IU, or 30 IU of oxytocin. The volumes of blood lost were also compared.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the duration of the third stage of labor was significantly reduced in the 3 study groups (P<0.001), and the maximum reduction was in the group that received 30 IU of oxytocin. Blood loss and hematocrit values followed the same pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Administering 30 IU of oxytocin intraumbilically in 50 mL of a normal saline solution after fetal delivery is a simple, noninvasive, and effective method for active management of the third stage of labor.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Shrimati Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, Delhi, India. purimanju@rediffmail.com
Manju
M
Puri
Poonam
P
Taneja
Neha
N
Gami
Harmeet S
HS
Rehan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001810:Blood Volume; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007749:Labor Stage, Third / Q000187:drug effects*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D055815:Young Adult
D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin