How do you manage the third stage of Labour
David Perry
Updated on May 25, 2026
Active management of the third stage of labor involves prophylactic uterotonic treatment, early cord clamping and controlled cord traction to deliver the placenta. (2) Oxytocin is the first agent of choice for PPH prophylaxis because of its high efficacy and a low incidence of associated side effects.
What are the importance of active management of third stage of Labour?
Active management of the third stage of labor (i.e., administration of a uterotonic medication before the placenta is delivered, early clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, and application of controlled traction to the cord) is associated with reduced maternal blood loss, fewer cases of postpartum hemorrhage, and …
What is passive management of third stage of Labour?
Passive management depends on normal physiological processes to separate and deliver the placenta without interference. Active management involves giving a uterotonic drug within 1 min of the birth and before placental delivery, early clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord and applying controlled cord traction [4].
What is the main thing that happens during the third stage of labor?
The third stage of labor is when your uterus continues to contract to push out the placenta (afterbirth) after your baby’s birth. The placenta usually delivers about 5 to 15 minutes after the baby arrives.How do you manage first stage of labour?
Standing and walking shorten the first stage of labor by > 1 hour and reduce the rate of cesarean delivery (1. The… read more ). If the membranes have not spontaneously ruptured, some clinicians use amniotomy (artificial rupture of membranes) routinely during the active phase.
Why is oxytocin administered in the third stage of labor?
Oxytocin Administration in the Third Stage of Labour – A Study of Appropriate Route and Dose. Brief Summary: Mothers are given the medication oxytocin after birth to help the uterus (womb) contract and therefore reduce blood loss.
Which of these third stage management strategies would help prevent hemorrhage?
Practice active management of the third stage of labor during obstetrical delivery to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Active management includes prophylactic administration of uterotonic agent with the delivery of the baby, early clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, and constant controlled cord traction.
What is expectant management in labor and delivery?
Expectant management of the pregnancy involves nonintervention at any particular point in time and allowing the pregnancy to progress to a future gestational age. Women undergoing expectant management may go into spontaneous labor or may require indicated induction of labor at a future gestational age.What is the difference between expectant management and active management of the third stage?
Background: Active management of the third stage of labour involves giving a prophylactic uterotonic, early cord clamping and controlled cord traction to deliver the placenta. With expectant management, signs of placental separation are awaited and the placenta is delivered spontaneously.
What is the third stage of labor called?Medical Definition of Third stage of labor. Third stage of labor: The part of labor from the birth of the baby until the placenta (afterbirth) and fetal membranes are delivered. The third stage of labor is also called the placental stage.
Article first time published onHow do you manage labour?
- Find a soothing environment. …
- Choose your team carefully. …
- Learn about labor. …
- Express your fears. …
- Practice rhythmic breathing. …
- Use imagery and visualization. …
- Take a warm shower or bath. …
- Keep moving.
How do you handle prolong labor?
When labour progress deviates significantly from the alert line or when the action line in the partograph is crossed, artificial rupture of membranes, also called amniotomy, and augmentation of labour with oxytocin are the recommended interventions to manage prolonged labour [14, 21, 22].
How do you monitor labor progress?
Good progress of labour is indicated by: a rate of dilation of the cervix that keeps it on or to the left of the alert line; evidence of fetal descent coinciding with cervical dilation; and contractions which show a steady increase in duration and the number in 10 minutes.
How is oxytocin administered during labor?
If oxytocin injection is given to induce labor or to increase contractions, it is usually given intravenously with medical supervision in a hospital. Your doctor may adjust your dose of oxytocin injection during your treatment, depending on your contraction pattern and on the side effects that you experience.
How do you administer oxytocin IM?
Standard arm: intramuscular oxytocin and placebo Immediately following delivery of the baby and preferably within 1 min of birth, oxytocin 10 IU is given intramuscularly into the thigh muscle and 1 mL 0.9% normal saline is given intravenously through the cannula.
What are the complications of third stage of labour?
All women who deliver are at risk of complications in the third stage of labor. These complications include PPH, retained placenta, and uterine inversion. Others include conditions that commonly manifest for the first time during the third stage (eg, placenta accreta and its variants).
When do you administer Pitocin?
Pitocin is used once the cervix is already ripened, meaning the cervix is softened and ready to start dilating. On the other hand, Cervidil is used when the cervix has NOT ripened.
How much Syntometrine do you need for stage 3?
Syntometrine should be used under medical supervision only. Adults: Active management of third stage of labour: Intramuscular injection of 1ml after delivery of the anterior shoulder, or at the latest, immediately after delivery of the child.
How do you prevent postpartum hemorrhage?
The most effective strategy to prevent postpartum hemorrhage is active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL). AMTSL also reduces the risk of a postpartum maternal hemoglobin level lower than 9 g per dL (90 g per L) and the need for manual removal of the placenta.
What is manage expectantly?
Listen to pronunciation. (ek-SPEK-tunt MA-nij-ment) Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change, or there are changes in test results. Expectant management avoids problems that may be caused by treatments such as radiation or surgery.
How can I speed up my latent labor?
- If you’re lying on the bed, get up! …
- Take a walk to the toilet. …
- If you have access to one, get into a warm bath or birth pool. …
- If your baby is lying back-to-back, an experienced midwife may advise you to lie on your side or try kneeling or standing lunge positions.
What are the labor stages?
- Early Labor: The onset of labor until the cervix is dilated to 3-6 centimeters.
- Active Labor Phase: Continues from 3 cm until the cervix is dilated to 7 centimeters.
- Transition Phase – Continues from 7 cm until the cervix is fully dilated to 10 centimeters.
What happens during the third stage of labor explained chronologically?
Third stage of labour The third stage is the delivery of your placenta. Your uterus will contract again, which helps the placenta separate from the wall of the uterus. This is much easier than pushing out your baby.
How can we control labour pain at home?
- Active birth. Staying active is one of the most helpful things you can do to manage the pain of labour and birth. …
- Massage and heat. Massage and hot packs can ease your pain in labour. …
- Water immersion. …
- Relaxation. …
- Aromatherapy. …
- Acupuncture. …
- TENS. …
- Sterile water injections.
How can I make my contractions stronger and closer together?
- Standing and Walking.
- Breast Stimulation.
- Pressure Techniques.
- Changing Positions.
- Changing Perspectives.
- Medical Intervention.
How do you manage prolonged second stage of Labour?
- Continuing observation/expectant management.
- Operative vaginal delivery by forceps or vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, or cesarean delivery.
What is labor Monitoring?
Electronic fetal monitoring is a procedure in which instruments are used to continuously record the heartbeat of the fetus and the contractions of the woman’s uterus during labor. The method that is used depends on the policy of your ob-gyn or hospital, your risk of problems, and how your labor is going.
How do you prevent failure to progress in Labour?
If you are failing to progress during the latent phase, the best thing to do is relax and wait while the cervix ripens. Take a walk, sleep, or take a warm bath. If drugs are slowing your contractions, you may need to simply wait until they are flushed from your body.
How do you start oxytocin drip?
Oxytocin should be administered as an intravenous (i.v.) drip infusion or, preferably, by means of a variable-speed infusion pump. For drip infusion it is recommended that 5 IU (8.3 micrograms) of Oxytocin be added to 500 ml of a physiological electrolyte solution (such as sodium chloride 0.9 %).
Which injection is given during delivery?
An epidural block is a regional pain-blocking procedure that can be used during labor. An epidural block uses one or more pain medications called anesthetics injected via a catheter into a small space outside the spinal cord in the lower back (epidural space).
What should I monitor with pitocin?
Monitoring. Electronically monitor the uterine activity and the fetal heart rate throughout the infusion of Pitocin. Attention should be given to tonus, amplitude and frequency of contractions, and to the fetal heart rate in relation to uterine contractions.