Effectiveness of Intermittent Uterine Massage in Reducing Blood Loss During Vaginal Delivery: A Comparative Study

Objective: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the developing countries. Several interventions have been advocated to reduce the blood loss around the time of childbirth. The aim and primary objective of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of intermittent uterine massage in reducing the blood loss after vaginal delivery. Material and Methods: A quasi- experimental study was conducted on 196 pregnant women. Study group included 98 pregnant women who were given active management of third stage of labour and also uterine massage for 1 minute every 10 minutes for 1 hour after the delivery of the baby and the control group included 98 women who were given only active management of third stage of labour after the delivery. Results: The mean blood loss amongst the study and control group was 139 and 159 mL, respectively (p=0.021). In the control group, 7 women had blood loss of more than 300 mL in comparison to the study group in which only 2 women had blood loss of more than 300 mL, adjusted odd's ratio=8.6 (95% confidence interval 1.05-17.3). In women who had high risk factors for PPH, the mean blood loss was 154 mL in the study group and was 176 mL in the control group (p=0.0204). Conclusion: Intermittent uterine massage is effective in reducing the amount of blood loss during vaginal delivery and also in women with high risk factors for PPH.