Primary Postpartum Haemorrhage Prevention by Misoprostol & Oxytocin

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of rectal misoprostol combined with intravenous oxytocin for prevention of primary postpartum haemorrhage. Study design: Prospective, observational study Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SIMS/Services Hospital, Lahore. Duration of study: Six months (01-04-2011 to 30-09-2012) Subjects and methods: Six hundred cases were included in this study. Patients were given 600mcg rectal misoprostol and intravenous oxytocin at the delivery of anterior shoulder of baby. These patients were followed in 24 hours for postpartum haemorrhage. Results: In the study mean age of the patients was observed 27.1+/-4.9 years. Mean gestational age was found to be 37.2+/-5.8 weeks. According to parity distribution, primigravida were 220(37%), gravida 2-4 were 312(52%) and gravida 5-6 were 68(11%). Majority of the patients i.e., 554(92.3%) had blood loss < 500ml and 46 patients (7.3%) had blood loss > 500ml. Rectal misoprostol with intravenous oxytocin was effective in 554 patients (92.3%). Conclusion: Rectal misoprostol combined with intravenous oxytocin is effective in the prevention of primary postpartum haemorrhage.