Publication:

A comparative study of the effectiveness of placental blood drainage versus no placental blood drainage in active management of third stage of labor at a tertiary care hospital

Background WHO defines postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) as when blood loss is greater than or equal to 500 ml within 24 hours after birth. When blood loss is greater than or equal to 1000 ml within 24 hourrs, it is called as severe primary postpartum haemorrhage. Placental blood drainage is done by clamping and cutting of umbilical cord after birth of baby followed by unclamping the maternal side of cord so the blood can drain freely into a container.

Methods 200 patients were studied in current research finding. Study group had 100 patients whose placental blood drainage was done and control group had 100 patients whose placental blood drainage was not done. This study was done to analyze the effectiveness of placental blood drainage in reducing blood loss.

Results The duration of third stage of labor was 295.70 seconds in study group and 475.20 seconds in control group. The amount of blood loss in study group was 273.76 ml and 294.92 ml in control group. p value was found to be significant. Incidence of PPH in study group was 1% and 8% in control group.

Conclusions Placenta blood drainage was safe and simple. It is a non invasive method very useful to prevent PPH. It reduces the duration of third stage of labor and reduces amount of blood loss.