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Use of oral misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage
Author(s) -
ElRefaey Hazem,
O'Brien Pat,
Morafa Wale,
Walder Jane,
Rodeck Charles
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb11464.x
Subject(s) - misoprostol , medicine , shivering , obstetrics , postpartum haemorrhage , vaginal delivery , vomiting , observational study , nausea , retained placenta , uterotonic , randomized controlled trial , gynecology , pregnancy , placenta , anesthesia , oxytocin , surgery , abortion , fetus , genetics , biology
Objective To investigate the use of the oral prostaglandin E 1 analogue, misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. Design A prospective observational study. Setting A university teaching hospital. Participants Two hundred and thirty‐seven consecutive women undergoing vaginal delivery. Methods All the women were given 600 μg oral misoprostol just after delivery. Main outcome measures Rates of postpartum haemorrhage; need for therapeutic oxytocic drugs; retained placenta and length of the third stage of labour. Results Postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 6% of the women; the need for therapeutic oxytocics in 5%, retained placenta in 2% and the median length of the third stage was 5 min. Vomiting and diarrhoea in the first hour after delivery occurred in 8% and 3% respectively and shivering in 60%. Conclusions Misoprostol may be effective in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, and has few side effects. A double blind randomised trial is required.