Effect of Oxygen inhalation on postpartum hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage is of the major causes of maternal mortality worldwide, and is responsible for approximately 30% of maternal direct death. Given the importance of management of postpartum bleeding for mother and child, this study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of Oxygen inhalation on postpartum hemorrhage.

This clinical trial study was performed on 120 pregnant women referred to the Maternity of Shahid Mustafa Khomeini Hospital of Ilam from 2012 to 2013, for normal vaginal delivery. The subjects were selected with convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups. In two group, for Management of the third stage of labor, one liter of ringer and 20 units of oxytocin were used. In the intervention group, in addition to the routine administration, 8 liters of oxygen via face mask was continuously used until 2 hours after delivery. Blood loss was determined by regular weighting of the buttocks and gases and pads, and 1 gram increase in weight was considered to be equivalent to 1cc blood). Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) using T-test and Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered significant.

The results of t-test indicated that the mean of bleeding was 256.16±97 cc in control group and 149.5±46 cc in intervention group at the end of first two hour after intervention that the difference between two groups was significant (p<0.006).

Oxygen inhalation during the third stage of labor and the first two hours after delivery significantly decreases postpartum hemorrhage.