Loading...
Postpartum hemorrhage is a major source of morbidity, and evidence-based preventive strategies are few. In Europe, oxytocin is routinely given as a 5-IU intravenous bolus after cesarean delivery. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 2058 women undergoing elective cesarean delivery at five maternity centers in Ireland. To determine the efficacy of following the standard 5-IU oxytocin bolus with a 40-IU, 4-hour infusion of oxytocin, the investigators randomized participants to active or saline (placebo) infusions. Primary outcomes were hemorrhage of >1 L and use of additional uterotonic medications (a proxy for blood loss).
Rates of hemorrhage were similar between groups with the exception that, among women who were at…