Comparison of the effects of misoprostol and oxytocin on postpartum Hemorrhage

Abstract

Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the most important causes of maternal mortality. Various strategies are used to treat this condition, and oxytocin is the most common drug that is used to achieve uterine contractions, PPH prevention and treatment. Misoprostol is an inexpensive and relatively new analog of prostaglandin E1, which is also used to induce labor, prevent and treat PPH. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of sublingual misoprostol, intrauterine misoprostol and oxytocin in caesarean section. Material and method: For all participants, Hb and Hct were recorded on the day of operation. Individuals were divided into three treatment groups, including sublingual oxytocin and misoprostol (A), intrauterine oxytocin and misoprostol (B), and oxytocin (C). During caesarean section, bleeding volume was evaluated through the amount of suctioned blood and the weighing of gas and mucus gases before and after the operation. Bleeding volume during 24 hours after surgery was evaluated by comparing hemoglobin and hematocrit before and after surgery. Results: The results obtained from this study showed that the duration of surgery and the volume of bleeding (during delivery and 24 hours after delivery) in the three groups did not differ significantly from each other. Drug side effects including chills were only observed in the sublingual misoprostol group.