Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major complication of delivery. Active management of third stage of labor decreases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. This study was to assess the effect of dextrose on third stage of vaginal delivery. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 120 pregnant women referred to maternity ward of Shahid Mustafa Khomeini Hospital in Ilam between 2012 and 2013. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups of dextrose and oxytocin. After fetus expolsion, the dextrose group received 200 cc dextrose 10 and oxytocin group received 20 units oxytocin per 1000 ml serum ringer by intravenus infusion. Then, the length of third stage of labor was recorded in minute. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and independent t-test and Chi-square. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Two groups were similar in maternal and neonatal characteristics. Mean length of third stage of labor in dextrose group (5.11±1.28 min) was significantly shorter than oxytocin group (7.86±1.14 min) (P=0.001). There was no case of placental retention or need for manual removal of placenta in both groups. Conclusion: Active management of third stage of labor with administration of dextrose 10 as noninvasive method can significantly reduce the duration of the third stage of labor. © 2016, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.