Sadiq G. Uthman, Mairiga A. Garba, Ado G. Danazumi, Mairo Mandara and Nwaosu H. Sylvester

Department of Ethno-Pharmacy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract:

How birth interval and antenatal care contribute to occurence of postpartum haemorrhage and the preventive efficacies of oxytocin injection and misoprostol tablets were studied. Women who have received either oxytocin injection or oral misoprostol in third stage of labour as a prophylaxis of postpartum haemorrhage, were enrolled. Each patient was observed at parturition and for 24 hours after, during which blood lost was estimated to the nearest ml. The relationship of the occurrence of PPH (blood loss > 500 ml) and mean blood loss was studied with respect to the prophylactic medication used and some obstetric factors. The occurrence of PPH in subjects that had ‘inadequate’ resting period (29.3 %) was higher than that of the ‘adequate’ resting period group (2 %). Misoprostol exhibited greater PPH prevention in the “inadequate” resting period category (83.9 versus 38.8%). In the misoprostol medication sub-group, there was significantly (p < 0.001) higher occurrence of PPH in the “adequate ANC” category (37.6%) than in the “inadequate ANC” category (7.1%). Inadequate birth interval or resting period and inadequate antenatal care are risk factors for PPH. The relative efficacies of oral misoprostol and parenteral oxytocin significantly vary with varying level of antenatal care and birth interval.