Effect of umbilical vein oxytocin on puerperal blood loss and length of the third stage of labor.

The use of umbilical vein injection of oxytocin was compared with traditional management of the third stage of labor. Pregnant women were randomized to receive intravenous oxytocin after the delivery of the placenta (n = 25) or oxytocin via the umbilical vein immediately after cord clamping (n = 25). Those who received umbilical vein oxytocin had a shorter third stage of labor (4.1 versus 9.4 minutes), less measured blood loss (135 versus 373 ml), and a lower drop in hematocrit (3.9% versus 6.2%). Intraumbilical vein oxytocin appears to be a useful alternative to traditional management of the third stage of labor.