Table 2.
Observation of practice during the third stage
| Total n = 156 (%) | |
|---|---|
| Gestation at birth | |
| preterm | 16 (10) |
| term | 140 (90) |
| Mode of delivery | |
| vaginal | 114 (74) |
| Caesarean section | 42 (26) |
| Uterotonic used during 1st or 2nd stage | 31 (20) |
| Prophylactic uterotonic used in 3rd stage | 137 (87) |
| oxytocin iv | 101 |
| oxytocin iv and methergine* im | 36 |
| with anterior shoulder | 2 |
| with birth of the baby | 10 |
| after birth of the baby, before cord clamping | 21 |
| after birth of the baby, after cord clamping | 75 |
| not stated | 29 |
| Position of the baby when cord clamped† | |
| on the woman's abdomen | 6 (5) |
| held by person doing the delivery | 109 (95) |
| Time from birth to cord clamping (seconds) | |
| 11-20 | 132 (85) |
| 21-30 | 19 (12) |
| 31-40 | 4 (3) |
| 41-50 | 1 (1) |
| Controlled cord traction | 76 (49) |
| Baby required resuscitation at birth | 10 (6) |
iv = intravenous; im = intramuscular
preterm = < 37 completed weeks gestation; term = ≥ 37 completed weeks
† for vaginal deliveries only; * methylergonovine maleate, a semi-synthetic ergot alkaloid