2025, Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part A

author(s)
Sunita Dhankhar

abstract
Delayed placental separation can result in postpartum hemorrhage. Intra-umbilical oxytocin (20?U in 30?mL saline) decreases the time to placental delivery after vaginal delivery, while its effect after cesarean birth is less clear. We conducted a clinical study in 56 elective cesarean patients, where patients were randomly assigned to receive intra-umbilical oxytocin or saline control (saline alone). We measured the time of birth to placenta delivery, blood loss >500?mL, safety, feasibility, completeness of placenta, and manual removal of the placenta. Mean time to placenta delivery was 141?s with oxytocin and 158?s in the saline control group (not significant). Catheter insertion in the umbilical vein was successful in all cases, and no adverse effects were reported. Intra-umbilical oxytocin appears safe, feasible and may provide a decrease in time to placenta delivery; however, further studies of a larger sample size are needed.