| Methods |
2‐arm active‐controlled randomised trial |
| Participants |
364 women were randomised in a hospital setting in India. The population comprised women of any parity, a singleton pregnancy, at low risk for PPH, who delivered by vaginal delivery. Exclusion criteria comprised women of gestational age less than 37 years, polyhydramnios, APH, pre‐eclampsia, multiple pregnancy, intrauterine fetal distress, coagulation disorders, asthma, epilepsy, heart disease, kidney disease, severe anaemia with Hb less than 7 g/dL, complicated or eventful first and second stage of labour. |
| Interventions |
400 mcg of misoprostol administered orally versus 200 mcg of ergometrine administered by an IV bolus |
| Outcomes |
The study recorded the following outcomes: change in Hb; third stage duration (minutes). |
| Notes |
Contact with study authors for additional information: no. Additional data from authors: no |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Sequence generation was not reported. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Allocation concealment was not reported. |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes |
Unclear risk |
Blinding (of study participants and caregivers) was unclear. |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes |
Unclear risk |
Assessor blinding was not reported. |
| Objective assessment of blood loss |
Low risk |
The evaluation of blood loss was assessed by placing cotton pads under the buttocks prior to the delivery of baby. After the delivery of the placenta the total pads and linen used were weighed in grams. The weight of 1 g of cotton pad or linen was equal to 1 mL (Langford 2000). From this the known dry weight subtracted and the calculated volume added. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Unclear risk |
The study authors did not mention any incomplete outcome data. |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) |
Unclear risk |
The protocol of the study was unavailable for verification. |
| Intention to treat analysis |
Unclear risk |
The authors did not specify whether all those who were enrolled and randomly allocated to treatment were included in the analysis, in the groups to which they were randomised. |
| Funding source |
Low risk |
The authors report no funding sources. |
