For a systematic policy of i.v. oxytocin inducted placenta deliveries in a unit where a fairly active management of third stage of labour is yet applied: results of a controlled trial.

The authors analysed the effect of the i.v. oxytocin induced third stage of labour in a controlled trial concerning 1000 patients. The appliance of such an policy in a unit that already had a fairly active management of delivery was very encouraging. The incidence of post-partum haemorrhage (greater than 500 ml) is significantly (P less than 0.001) less than in the control group; and the same for severe haemorrhage. The third stage is significantly (P less than 0.001) shorter in the oxytocin-injected group than in the control group. Moreover, there is no significant difference between the two groups for retained placenta. The economy of blood transfusion, which is a major concern nowadays, could be the real interest of this active management of the third stage of labour.     

A prospective cohort study of oxytocin plus ergometrine compared with oxytocin alone for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage

Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of intramuscular oxytocin plus ergometrine compared to intravenous oxytocin for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, and the significance of administration at the end of the second stage of labour compared with that after the third stage.
Design A prospective cohort study.
Setting A university affiliated tertiary medical centre.
Participants Two thousand one hundred and eighty–nine women delivering singletons during 40 consecutive weeks.
Main outcome measures Postpartum haemorrhage (> 500 ml), prolonged third stage (> 30 min), retained placenta (>60min), elevated blood pressure (systolic > 150 mmHg, diastolic > 100 mmHg).
Results The rate of postpartum haemorrhage was not significantly different for oxytocinergometrine compared with oxytocin, when administered at the end of the second stage of labour (odds ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–1.61) or after the third stage (odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.68–1.34). The patients receiving oxytocics at the end of the second stage of labour had significantly lower rates of postparturn haemorrhage, for both oxytocinergometrine (odds ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.49–0.98) and oxytocin (odds ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.41–0.87), compared with those treated after the third stage.
Conclusion Administration of oxytocin alone is as effective as the use of oxytocin plus ergometrine in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, but associated with a significantly lower rate of unpleasant maternal side effects. Oxytocics administered after delivery of the fetal head compared with after the placental expulsion are associated with a significantly lower rate of postpartum haemorrhage.     

Postpartum haemorrhage in nulliparous women: incidence and risk factors in low and high risk women. A Dutch population-based cohort study on standard (> or = 500 ml) and severe (> or = 1000 ml) postpartum haemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for standard and severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in vaginally delivering nulliparous women, before and after risk stratification. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cohort study in an unselected cohort nulliparous women (N = 3464) in 'The Zaanstreek' district, The Netherlands. Risk stratification is part of routine care, where midwives cover all obstetrical care for women with low risk pregnancies. RESULTS: The incidence of standard PPH (> or = 500 ml) and severe PPH (> or = 1000 ml) were 19 and 4.2%, respectively. A retained placenta occurred in 1.8%. These data show consistently slightly higher values as compared to studies in literature. The most important risk factors for standard and severe PPH were related to an abnormal third stage of labour-third stage > or = 30 min and retained placenta (in severe PPH: odds ratio (OR) 14.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.4-19.1). High birth weight and perineal damage were less important, but independent, significant risk factors. In the low risk group (N = 1416), incidence of severe PPH was 4.0%. Independent risk factors for severe PPH were third stage > or = 30 min (incidence 7.1%, OR 3.6) and retained placenta (incidence 1.2%, OR 21.6). In 25% of the women with a prolonged third stage (> or = 30 min), third stage was complicated due to retained placenta and/or severe PPH (1.8% of the low risk group). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PPH in nulliparous women in this cohort was on average higher than published data, while the most important risk factors for standard and severe PPH, even after risk stratification, were the same. A prolonged third stage of labour has to be considered as abnormal, requiring specific action.     

Induced abortion and duration of third stage labour in a subsequent pregnancy.

We set out to evaluate the impact of first trimester induced abortion on the duration of third stage labour and related complications in a subsequent pregnancy. The study was conducted in Shanghai city at 15 general hospitals (or maternity and infant health institutes) from November 1993 to March 1998. We identified all nulliparae who came for antenatal care within the first 63 days of pregnancy (2953); the women were divided into two cohorts according to their previous history of first trimester induced abortion. After enrollment, the women were interviewed five times from recruitment until 42 days after delivery. We included in the study all 1363 women who had a singleton vaginal live birth. Of these women, 703 were primigravida (non-exposed), 534 had had one previous first trimester induced abortion, and 126 women had had two or more first trimester induced abortions. The duration of third stage labour in minutes was longer in women with one or more previous induced abortions (mean=7.32 minutes) compared with primigravid women (mean=6.79 minutes). Prolonged third stage labour (>30 minutes) following one or more induced abortions was seen for 3.4% versus 1.0% in primigravid women. After adjusting for a number of potential confounders, women with one or more previous first trimester induced abortions had an odds ratio of prolonged third stage labour of 2.59 (95%C.I.=1.06-6.37) compared with primigravida, especially after an interpregnancy interval of more than 6 months (OR=3.24, 95%C.I.=1.29-8.13). The odds ratio of prolonged third stage labour was 3.14 (95%C.I.=1.22-8.09) if gestational age at the time of the induced abortion exceeded 49 days. Women with a first trimester induced abortion had no significantly increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage or retained placenta. It was concluded that a history of one or more first trimester induced abortions was related to an increased risk of prolonged third stage labour in the following pregnancy, particularly if the induced abortion was performed after 49 days of gestation.     

Concomitant and repeated happenings of complications of the third stage of labour

Summary. Complications of the third stage of vaginal delivery have been studied among 36312 women in Aberdeen between 1967 and 1981. There was no change in the incidence of retained placenta (RP), but there was a secular increase in postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Postpartum haemorrhage was three times more common when there was a retained placenta. PPH was commoner in primiparae and after induced labour. The main focus of this paper is on the analysis of the risks of repetition among 6615 women with two or three live births between 1967 and 1980. A history of PPH and/or RP increased the relative risks of PPH and/or RP in a subsequent birth by between two and four times compared with women without such a history. The risk of repetition was increased if the subsequent birth was induced, or if there was an intervening abortion. Nevertheless. only a minority of the multiparae who experienced a third stage complication had a previous history of such a complication.     

Concomitant and repeated happenings of complications of the third stage of labour

Complications of the third stage of vaginal delivery have been studied among 36 312 women in Aberdeen between 1967 and 1981. There was no change in the incidence of retained placenta (RP), but there was a secular increase in postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Postpartum haemorrhage was three times more common when there was a retained placenta. PPH was commoner in primiparae and after induced labour. The main focus of this paper is on the analysis of the risks of repetition among 6615 women with two or three live births between 1967 and 1980. A history of PPH and/or RP increased the relative risks of PPH and/or RP in a subsequent birth by between two and four times compared with women without such a history. The risk of repetition was increased if the subsequent birth was induced, or if there was an intervening abortion. Nevertheless, only a minority of the multiparae who experienced a third stage complication had a previous history of such a complication.     

Does Cord Drainage of Placental Blood Facilitate Delivery of the Placenta?

A series of 1,908 women delivering vaginally, and actively managed in stage 3 of labour, were randomly assigned to 2 groups to study if cord drainage of placental blood facilitated delivery of the placenta. Prophylactic oxytocics were given with the birth of the anterior shoulder. In both groups, early cord clamping was practised, timing being at the midwives' discretion. In the control group the cord remained clamped; in the drainage group the cord was unclamped and the volume of placental blood measured. Controlled cord traction completed active management at evidence of separation/descent of the placenta. Rates for retained placenta, postpartum haemorrhage and transfusion were similar. It was concluded that when the third stage of labour is actively managed, placental drainage of cord blood confers no extra benefits. Pre- and post-delivery Kleihauer tests were performed on blood from 20 women in each group. All tests were negative. Contrary to previous work, this does not suggest that cord drainage reduces the fetomaternal transfusion rate. The well known association of prolonged duration of stage 3 of labour and the risk of haemorrhage was strongly confirmed.     

Inherited bleeding disorders in pregnancy

Women with inherited bleeding disorders may face several haemostatic challenges during pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy in these women requires specialised and individualised care. Prenatal diagnosis is primarily considered in families affected by severe bleeding disorder such as haemophilia. Non-invasive fetal sex determination by analysis of free fetal DNA in maternal blood offers carriers of haemophilia a means of avoiding invasive testing and its associated risks in female pregnancies. With the exception of fibrinogen and factor XIII deficiencies, it is currently unclear whether women with inherited bleeding disorders are at increased risk of miscarriage or antepartum haemorrhage. However, they are at increased risk of primary and secondary postpartum haemorrhage. The fetus, if severely affected, is at risk of cranial bleeding during labour and delivery. Appropriate haemostatic cover during labour and delivery, avoidance of prolonged labour and traumatic delivery, and active management of third stage of labour can minimise the risk of bleeding complications for the mother and her fetus.     

Use of oral misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage

Objective To investigate the use of the oral prostaglandin E₁ analogue, misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage.
Design A prospective observational study.
Setting A university teaching hospital.
Participants Two hundred and thirty-seven consecutive women undergoing vaginal delivery.
Methods All the women were given 600 μg oral misoprostol just after delivery.
Main outcome measures Rates of postpartum haemorrhage; need for therapeutic oxytocic drugs; retained placenta and length of the third stage of labour.
Results Postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 6% of the women; the need for therapeutic oxytocics in 5%, retained placenta in 2% and the median length of the third stage was 5 min. Vomiting and diarrhoea in the first hour after delivery occurred in 8% and 3% respectively and shivering in 60%.
Conclusions Misoprostol may be effective in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, and has few side effects. A double blind randomised trial is required.     

Coping with placenta praevia and accreta in a DGH setting and words of caution.

The incidence of placenta praevia and accreta has been increasing with rising caesarean section rates. We highlight the increasing incidence of severe post-partum haemorrhage due to placenta accreta. Four cases occurred within 3 years (2002--2004) in a small District General Hospital (DGH) with a delivery rate of 1,800 per year. All of the cases had previous caesarean sections and three had an associated anterior low-lying placenta. These patients were diagnosed to have placenta accreta in the third stage of labour, as the placenta was completely adherent and was difficult to remove. However, two of them had a provisional diagnosis made of placenta accreta and prophylactic measures had been taken in the form of counselling and consent for possible hysterectomy. Patients were counselled regarding this condition, and the possible need for hysterectomy was discussed. Two of them had to be managed by post-partum hysterectomy and the other two were treated conservatively. The purpose of writing these case reports is to warn others of the need for vigilance, particularly in keeping their primary caesarean section rates down and being prepared for long-term complications.     

Current strategies for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in the third stage of labour

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite evidence that active management of the third stage of labour reduces the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage, expectant management is still widely practised. Factors accounting for this situation include the desire for a more natural experience of childbirth, the philosophy that active management is unnecessary in low-risk women, and avoidance of the adverse effects of conventional uterotonic agents. This review will evaluate the various strategies currently used for the prevention of primary postpartum haemorrhage. RECENT FINDINGS: Since publication of the first systematic review comparing active with expectant management in 1988, active management of the third stage using oxytocics has become increasingly adopted. Recent surveys, however, show that there are still wide variations in practice around the world. Recent interest has focused on the use of misoprostol for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. Carbetocin, an oxytocin receptor agonist, shows promise but has not been evaluated for use after vaginal births. SUMMARY: Active management of the third stage of labour is superior to expectant management in terms of blood loss, postpartum haemorrhage and other serious complications, but is associated with unpleasant side effects and hypertension when ergometrine is included. Intramuscular oxytocin results in fewer side effects. Oral and rectal misoprostol has been extensively assessed and found to be less effective than conventional oxytocics with more side effects. Until alternative regimes of misoprostol are studied in large controlled trials, misoprostol is not recommended for routine use in the third stage of labour. Of the remaining uterotonic agents evaluated, intramuscular carbetocin appears the most promising.     

Variations in policies for management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in Europe

Background  The EUropean Project on obstetric Haemorrhage Reduction: Attitudes, Trial, and Early warning System (EUPHRATES) is a set of five linked projects, the first component of which was a survey of policies for management of the third stage of labour and immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal birth in Europe.
Objectives  The objectives were to ascertain and compare policies for management of the third stage of labour and immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in maternity units in Europe following vaginal birth.
Design  Survey of policies.
Setting  The project was a European collaboration, with participants in 14 European countries.
Sample  All maternity units in 12 countries and in selected regions of two countries in Europe.
Methods  A postal questionnaire was sent to all or a defined sample of maternity units in each participating country.
Main outcome measures  Stated policies for management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage.
Results  Policies of using uterotonics for the management of the third stage were widespread, but policies about agents, timing, clamping and cutting the umbilical cord and the use of controlled cord traction differed widely. For immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage, policies of massaging the uterus were widespread. Policies of catheterising the bladder, bimanual compression and in the choice of drugs administered were much more variable.
Conclusions  Considerable variations were observed between and within countries in policies for management of the third stage of labour. Variations were observed, but to a lesser extent, in policies for the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth. In both cases, policies about the pharmacological agents to be used varied widely.     

Policies for manual removal of placenta at vaginal delivery: variations in timing within Europe

The length of the third stage of labour is a potential modifiable risk factor for postpartum haemorrhage at vaginal delivery, but there is no definitive evidence that early intervention to remove the placenta manually will prevent postpartum haemorrhage. We report a wide variation between countries in Europe in policies about the timing of manual removal of placenta. Two groups of countries with clearly divergent policies were identified. A randomised controlled trial is needed to provide definitive evidence on the risks and benefits of manual removal of placenta at different timings after vaginal delivery.     

Duration of passive and active phases of the second stage of labour and risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage in low-risk nulliparous women

Objective

To assess the risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) according to the durations of the passive and active phases of the second stage of labour.

Study design

Secondary analysis from the PREMODA prospective observational study in 138 French maternity units; 3330 low-risk nulliparous women with vaginal deliveries of cephalic singletons were included. Prospective analysis of the recorded durations of the active first stage of labour and the passive and active phases of the second stage of labour was undertaken, and their association with severe PPH, defined by estimated blood loss >1000 ml or blood transfusion. Factors associated with severe PPH were analysed by uni and multivariate analyses with logistic regression models.

Results

The frequency of severe PPH was 2.1% (n = 69). In the univariate analysis, the frequency of severe PPH increased with the duration of the active second stage but not the passive second stage: 1.2% for active second stage <10 min, 1.6% for 10–19 min, 2.1% for 20–29 min, 2.6% for 30–39 min, 4.5% for 40–49 min and 14.3% for ≥50 min (p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, the risk of severe PPH was found to be statistically significant when the active first stage exceeded 6 h [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–6.1)] and when the active second stage exceeded 40 min (40–49 min: adjusted OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.0–12.3; ≥50 min: adjusted OR 10.6, 95% CI 2.8–40.3; reference: <10 min). The duration of the active second stage was not associated with other maternal or neonatal complications.

Conclusions

A prolonged active, but not passive, second stage of labour is associated with the risk of severe PPH in nulliparas. The optimal duration of these phases remains to be defined.     

Management of patients with Type 2B von Willebrand's disease during delivery and puerperium

Von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is the most common congenital haemorrhagic diathesis inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, with a prevalence estimated to be 1 - 2 %. In subtype 2B an abnormally structured von-Willebrand factor (VWF) leads to an increased binding of VWF molecules to normal platelets, which regularly results in thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Only few systematic observations in patients with type 2B VWD in the perinatal period have been reported in the literature. Six spontaneous deliveries in two sisters with type 2B VWD are reported. The first patient did not show any bleeding complications in five vaginal deliveries without any factor replacement therapy. The second patient showed a massive haemorrhage on the third postpartum day after administration of factor VIII-VWF concentrate replacement therapy (Haemate(R) HS), only on the day of delivery. No neonatal complications were reported. The clinical management of pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in patients with type 2B VWD requires close collaboration of experienced obstetricians, haematologists, anaesthesiologists and paediatricians. During labour and delivery, but especially in puerperium, there is a significantly increased risk for haemorrhage. Vaginal delivery is generally safe, but the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage is 30 %. These bleedings may be extremely severe. The danger of postpartum bleeding complications cannot be predicted with certainty, neither by past history of bleeding episodes or haematological laboratory tests of VWF activity levels. Hence, in all patients factor VIII-VWF concentrate replacement therapy should be initiated already in the first stage of labour. Post partum replacement therapy along with effective uterotonic therapy should be continued at least for seven days. With this treatment bleeding problems may be largely prevented. The decision to perform epidural block in labour and delivery must be assessed depending on individual risk factors.     

A comparison of 'active' and 'physiological' management of the third stage of labour

A randomised, controlled trial of 1429 women was carried out to compare 'active' management of the third stage of labour, using i.v. Ergometrine 0.5 mg, with a method of 'physiological' management, in women at 'low risk' to haemorrhage. In the "active" management group a higher incidence of the following complications was found:- manual removal of placenta (p less than 0.0005), problems such as nausea (p less than 0.0005), vomiting (p less than 0.0005), and severe after-birth pains (p less than 0.02), hypertension (p less than 0.0001) and secondary postpartum haemorrhage (p less than 0.02). The incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (blood loss greater than 500 ml) and postnatal haemoglobins less than 10 gm/100 were higher in the 'physiological' group (p less than 0.0005, p less than 0.002). No difference was found in the need for blood transfusion in either group. The routine use of i.v. Ergometrine 0.5 mg during the third stage of labour in women at 'low risk' to haemorrhage does not appear to be necessary and has many adverse effects. Further studies comparing different methods of 'physiological' management are recommended in order to reduce to a minimum the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage and anaemia.     

A randomised trial of carbetocin versus syntometrine in the management of the third stage of labour

OBJECTIVE: Syntometrine is an effective uterotonic agent used in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage but has adverse effects including nausea, vomiting, hypertension and coronary artery spasm. Carbetocin is a newly developed long-acting oxytocin analogue that might be used as an uterotonic agent. We compare the efficacy and safety of intramuscular (IM) carbetocin with IM syntometrine in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage. DESIGN: Prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Delivery suite of a university-based obstetrics unit. POPULATION: Women with singleton pregnancy achieving vaginal delivery after and throughout 34 weeks. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-nine eligible women were randomised to receive either a single dose of 100 microgram IM carbetocin or 1 ml IM syntometrine (a mixture of 5 iu oxytocin and 0.5 mg ergometrine) at the end of second stage of labour. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Difference in haemoglobin drop measured 2 days after delivery between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in the drop of haemoglobin concentration within the first 48 hours between the two groups. The incidence of additional oxytocic injections, postpartum haemorrhage (blood loss > or = 500 ml) and retained placenta were also similar. The use of carbetocin was associated with significant lower incidence of nausea (relative risk [RR] 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.78), vomiting (RR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01-0.74), hypertension 30 minutes (0 versus 8 cases, P < 0.01) and 60 minutes (0 versus 6 cases, P < 0.05) after delivery but a higher incidence of maternal tachycardia (RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.03-3.57). CONCLUSIONS: IM carbetocin is as effective as IM syntometrine in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal delivery. It is less likely to induce hypertension and has a low incidence of adverse effect. It should be considered as a good alternative to conventional uterotonic agents used in managing the third stage of labour.     

The Third Stage of Labour in the Extremely Obese Parturient

Background

Maternal obesity has been associated with an increased risk for an abnormal progression of labour; however, less is known about the length of the third stage of labour and its relation to maternal obesity.

The evolving management of the third stage of labour

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.     

Timing of manual placenta removal to prevent postpartum hemorrhage: is it time to act?

Objective: The length of the third stage of labor is an important risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Current practice recommends manual placenta removal, if not delivered spontaneously, within 30?min. The review reexamines the evidence to determine the optimal length of the third stage of labor.

Methods: A MEDLINE search that associated the length of the third stage of labor with the risk of PPH was undertaken.

Results: A retrospective cohort study revealed the risk of a PPH became significant at 10?min (odds ratio?=?2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.6–2.6), and had doubled by 20?min (odds ratio?=?4.3, 95% confidence interval: 3.3–5.5). A receiver operator curve determined the optimal length of the third stage of labor to prevent PPH was 18?min. A follow up randomized controlled trial showed that hemodynamic compromise secondary to a PPH can be reduced with manual placenta removal at 10 compared to 15?min (6.4 versus 19.2%, p?=?0.001).

Conclusion: The time interval of 15?min may be a more appropriate time interval to recommend placental removal to prevent PPH.