Comparing the Effect of Umbilical Cord Milking Versus Vein Oxytocin Injection and Normal Saline Injection, on Third Stage of Labor

Introduction and One of the most important causes for maternal death in developing countries is the third stage bleeding. The main aim of this study is to compare the effect of milking umbilical cord with diluted oxytocin and normal saline injections in the umbilical cord vein, on labor third stage duration and bleeding. The randomized control trial was done on 168 parturient mothers in Ahvaz hospitals. In the first group (N = 56) the umbilical cord blood was milked toward the placenta, the mothers in second group (N = 44) and third group (N = 32) were received 20 IU oxytocin and 30 ml saline normal in umbilical cord vein, respectively. Finally the forth or control group (N = 36) were received infusion of 20 IU oxytocin in 1000 ml serum ringer as the routine postpartum care. Then collected data was analyzed in SPSS v.16 by statistical tests, paired t-test, and ANOVA (CI = 95%). Mean duration of third stage of labor was significantly different between groups (P = 0.02), but all three manipulated groups did not have any significantly difference whereas, the difference was between control and manipulated groups. The effect of milking the umbilical vein toward placenta, is similar to the other manipulations in third stage duration. Mean hemoglobin concentration was not importantly different between the groups. Milking the umbilical cord blood toward placenta could reduce the duration of labor third stage the same as the others (diluted oxytocin and saline normal in umbilical vein). While this new method is easier and more available.