Treatment of third stage of labor

The safe delivery of the placenta is more important to the maternal health than the safe delivery of the fetus. Recognition of separation of the placenta is an outstanding item in the conduct of the third stage of labor. Mechanism of placental separation and signs of separation are described. Spontaneous delivery of the placenta, “indirect expulsion,” and simple expression are essentially physiological. Credé method and manual removal of the placenta represent pathology in the third stage of labor. The importance and technique of placental inspection are also given.