Low-dose sublingual misoprostol versus methylergometrine for active management of the third stage of labor.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and side-effects of low-dose sublingual misoprostol and i.v. methylergometrine for active management of the third stage of labor.

METHODS

The study subjects were three hundred low-risk women with term pregnancy and spontaneous onset of labor. These women received either one (100 microg/tablet) or two tablets of misoprostol (200 microg) sublingually or 1 mL (200 microg) of methylergometrine, i.v. injection, after the delivery of the anterior shoulder of the baby. The main outcome measures were the need for additional oxytocic drugs, blood loss >or=500 mL, change in hemoglobin levels and side-effects.

RESULTS

Post-partum hemorrhage (>or=500 mL blood loss) did not occur in any of the women, but above-average bleeding occurred in 2.0% of cases in groups I, II (sublingual misoprostol 100 microg and 200 microg respectively) and III (methylergometrine), despite additional oxytocics used in 5.0%, 4.0% and 3.0% cases in groups I, II and III respectively (P>0.05). The change in hemoglobin levels at 24 h post-partum were 0.8%, 0.7% and 0.8% in groups I, II and III respectively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

A low dose of sublingual misoprostol appears to be as effective as a low dose of i.v. methylergometrine in the prevention of post-partum hemorrhage in low-risk cases. So given the advantages of its stability at room temperature, low cost and easy route of administration, misoprostol appears to be a better choice, and a low dose is enough. However, larger studies in low-risk as well as high-risk cases are needed to advocate routine use of a low dose at the primary level.