Active versus expectant management in the third stage of labour
Cochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsPublished 24 July 2000
Walter Prendiville, Diana Elbourne, Susan McDonald
Citations494
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.62
SNIP2.04
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TL;DR
Routine 'active management' is superior to 'expectant management' in terms of blood loss, post partum haemorrhage and other serious complications of the third stage of labour.
Abstract
Routine 'active management' is superior to 'expectant management' in terms of blood loss, post partum haemorrhage and other serious complications of the third stage of labour. Active management is, however, associated with an increased risk of unpleasant side effects (eg nausea and vomiting), and hypertension, where ergometrine is used. Active management should be the routine management of choice for women expecting to deliver a baby by vaginal delivery in a maternity hospital. The implications are less clear for other settings including domiciliary practice (in developing and industrialised countries).
Keywords
Medicine
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