Misoprostol and active management of the third stage of labor

OBJECTIVE: To compare current practices for the active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL) with the use of 600 mug of oral misoprostol. METHODS: An operations research study was designed to compare blood loss with current AMTSL practices and misoprostol use. RESULTS: Women in the misoprostol group were less likely to bleed 500 ml or more (adjusted odds ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.56) compared with those in the current practices group. In the current practices group 73% women required interventions because of postpartum hemorrhage, compared with 11% in the misoprostol group. CONCLUSION: In situations where oxytocin and or ergometrine are not consistently and appropriately used during third stage of labor, misoprostol should be considered for inclusion in the AMTSL protocol.