Comparison of intramuscular methylergometrine, rectal misoprostol, and low-dose intravenous oxytocin in active management of the third stage of labor.

Objective: Active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL) is a critical intervention for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), which is still the most common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objective of the study is to compare the effect of intramuscular methylergometrine, rectal misoprostol, and low-dose intravenous oxytocin in the AMTSL in terms of amount of blood loss and duration of the third stage of labor, cost-effectiveness, and side effect profile.

Materials and methods: Seventy-five pregnant patients admitted in the maternity ward for vaginal delivery from February 2017 to February 2018 received either intramuscular methylergometrine (0.2 mg) or rectal misoprostol (400 mcg) or low-dose intravenous oxytocin (5 units oxytocin in 100 mL normal saline) for AMTSL. Data were recorded in three groups: Group A (methylergometrine), Group B (misoprostol), and Group C (oxytocin) consisting of 25 cases each.

Results: Mean blood loss was found to be least in methylergometrine group (246.87 ± 65.44 mL) as compared to misoprostol (346.13 ± 58.35 mL) and oxytocin (334.5 ± 69.20 mL) (P = 0.000) Mean duration of the third stage of labor was also least in methylergometrine group (6.21 ± 1.58 min) (P = 0.0008).

Conclusion: Although methylergometrine was found to have higher incidence of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and raised blood pressure, it was found to be the most effective drug for minimizing blood loss in the third stage of labor. In remote places where healthcare facilities are limited and drugs cannot be administered by parenteral route, rectal misoprostol remains an alternative.