A study of prophylactic use of 15-methyl prostalglandin F2alpha in the active management of third stage of labour

To compare active management of third stage of labour with 15-methyl prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and conventional management with methylergometrine as prophylaxis for postpartum hemorrhage, a randomised comparative study was carried out at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata on 100 women. They were randomly allotted to one of the two groups. Group A included 50 women who received 15-methyl PGF2alpha (125 microg) intramusculary at the time of delivery of the anterior shoulder and group B included 50 women who underwent conventional management of the third stage of labour where methylergometrine 0.2 mg was given after delivery of placenta. Main outcome measured were duration of third stage, amount of bleeding and side-effects. The present study showed that there were significent reduction of the duration of third stage as well as reduction of amount of bleeding particularly when 125 microg of 15-methyl PGF2alpha was given intramuscularly at the time of delivery of the anterior shoulder in comparison to coventional method of management of third stage of labour with methylergometrine. Placental expulsion occurred within 4 minutes in group A and 16.5 minutes in group B. The amount of bleeding following delivery was 95.6 ml in average in group A and 249.6 ml in average in group B. 15-methyl PGF2alpha (125 microg) is certainly effective in prevention of postpartum haemorrhage particularly in developing country like India where this complication contributes a major factor for maternal mortality.