ABSTRACT
The most common complication 0f the third stage of labour is postpartum haemorrhage, which remains a leading cause of maternal mortality [25.0%], especially in developing countries. In developed countries, 3-5% of deliveries are complicated by postpartum haemorrhage: in developing countries, it is 50 times more common .Third stage of labour which exceeds 30 minutes is associated with a significant risk of postpartum haemorrhage and puerperal infection. The best preventive strategy for these complications is active management of third stage of labour. Active management includes administration of oxytocin within one minute of birth of baby. To compare the mean blood loss after administration of intra umbilical oxytocin versus intravenous oxytocin at anterior shoulder for active management of third stage of labour. Randomized controlled trial. Six months from 1-1-2013 to 30-06-2013. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Unit-III Jinnah Hospital Lahore. 100 patients fulfilling selection criteria were included in the study from labour room. These patients were randomly divided into two groups by using lottery method. Group-A, 50 patients were administered 10 units of oxytocin diluted in 20ml of normal saline intraumbilically and group-B, 50 patients were administered 5 units of oxytocin intravenous stat at anterior shoulder. Total blood loss was noted after complete delivery of placenta. Mean age was 25.0 +/- 3.9 and 24.4 +/- 3.5 in group-A and B, respectively. Mean gestational age was 38.20 +/- 0.96 weeks in group-A and 38.40 +/- 0.94 weeks in group-B. Mean blood loss in intraumbilical oxytocin group was 311.20 +/- 27.23 ml and in intravenous oxytocin group mean blood loss was 373.60 +/- 66.47 ml. There was statistically significant difference between two groups [p<0.001]. In group-A 15 patients [30.0%] and in group-B 20 patients [40.0%] were primigravida while remaining patients were multigravida. The usage of intraumbilical oxytocin in active management of third stage of labour is beneficial in reducing the blood loss in third stage and thus helps in preventing postpartum haemorrhage