How Effective Are the Components of Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor?

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth; Published online 2013 Feb 21; 13:46; doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-13-46

This paper analyzed secondary data from hospital births in four countries to assess two regimens for the prevention of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH): those in which oxytocin was administered after the delivery of the baby and those in which it was not. The authors also analyzed other factors and forms of active management in the third stage of labor, such as route of administration, controlled cord traction, and uterine massage. They found that results varied greatly between the different combinations and that active management of PPH should consider the setting and options available in order to find the optimal combination of treatments.