Management of the third stage of labor The effect of early and late umbilical cord clamping and injection of Oxytocin

Abstract

Background and Objective: The third stage of labor is probably the most dangerous stage, due to bleeding threatens mother. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of early and late cord umbilical clamping and injection of oxytocin after delivery on duration of third stage and hemorrhage and prevalence of retained placenta. Methods: This study was done on 260 singleton deliveries. Gestations less than 34 weeks, newborns with low birth weight (Less than 2000gr) and fetal distress and also the Rh-negative mothers were all excluded from the study. Third stage of labor was managed by three methods. Findings: Duration of the third stage in method 1, 2 and 3 were 8.5±1.8, 3.6±1.9 and 4.2±1.9 minutes, respectively, which there was only a significant difference between method 1 and 2 (P<0.05). In method 1, retained placenta was seen in 4 cases (3.5%). In normal 1, 2 and 3, the average of hemorrhage in the third stage and standard deviation was 90.3±126, 72±63 and 54.9±70 ml, respectively which there was a significant difference between method 1 and 3 but there was no significant difference between 1 with 2 and 2 with 3. Conclusion: According to the results, early umbilical cord clamping is not recommended in order to reduce the duration of the third stage and also the amount of hemorrhage.

Keywords

• third stage of labor
• early umbilical clamping
• late umbilical clamping
• oxytocin