Tablet Misoprostol Prevents Heavy Bleeding after Birth

Researchers have found an effective and simple remedy to prevent heavy bleeding after vaginal birth.

Professor Vanora Hundley of Bournemouth University and colleagues found the tablet misoprostol effective in preventing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), one of the leading causes of maternal mortality all over the world.

PPH is severe bleeding after childbirth or loss of more than 500 ml of blood after vaginal birth. According to World Health Organization (WHO), if not taken care of properly, severe bleeding can kill a healthy woman within two hours. Nearly 800 women die every day due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications around the world.

For the study, researchers looked at more than 10,000 women, part of six studies conducted in low and middle income countries. All the studies dealt with women who gave birth at home.

The review proved the tablet misoprostol preventing heavy bleeding after giving birth. However, researchers found some adverse effects associated with taking the medication. Fever and shivering were some of most common side-effects cited in all the studies. Due to insufficient data available on the adverse effects of the tablet on babies, the research couldn't reach proper conclusions.

Until date, Oxytocin (pitocin) has been used to prevent postpartum blood loss. However, it should be stored properly and should be administered only by an experienced birth attendant.

"We know that another medication, oxytocin, is the most effective means of preventing PPH. However, it requires cold storage and needs to be given by a skilled birth attendant," lead researcher Hundley said in a news release. "The reality is that many women in low resource countries give birth in settings that offer neither of these things. For these women having access to a simple oral tablet that reduces their chance of bleeding heavily after their baby is born could be lifesaving."

Findings of the study have been published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.