Comparison of tranexamic acid plus intramuscular oxytocin with intramuscular oxytocin alone for prophylaxis of primary postpartum haemorrhage in vaginal delivery

Abstract

In contemporary obstetrics, postpartum hemorrhage is one of the primary causes of maternal mortality. Postpartum hemorrhage is defined as blood loss of more than 500 mL within the first 24 hours of birth. The term, late postpartum hemorrhage is used when the bleeding lasts more than 24 hours. Due to the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, the body may sustain a 500 mL blood loss without experiencing any severe negative consequences. However, even a modest amount of blood loss might be harmful in cases of comorbidities like anemia. However, even a modest amount of blood loss might be harmful in cases of comorbidities like anemia. Postpartum hemorrhage poses a double threat because it decreases the mother's strength and immunity, leaving her more vulnerable to puerperal illnesses. Second, the loss of blood could be fatal. Maternal death occurs gradually as a result of constant trickle-like blood loss. There are predictors which may help us in scrutinizing patients to be labeled as high risk for postpartum hemorrhage, however, there are no formulized criteria for postpartum hemorrhage. The active management of the third stage of labor is a management protocol made to prevent as well as manage this potentially life-threatening condition. It has significantly led to a reduction in maternal mortality rates. However, with more permutation - combinations of medical management and using different pharmacological agents we can devise a better algorithm for further deduction in the mortality rates. Here we propose to randomly allocate and administer an additional drug, tranexamic acid, in addition to uterotonics prophylactically given during the active management of the third stage of labor in vaginal deliveries. In doing so we compare the differences between groups in which only oxytocin was given and in which oxytocin plus tranexamic acid was given.