The Effect of Placental Cord Drainage on Postpartum Blood Loss

The Effect of Placental Cord Drainage on Postpartum Blood Loss

To determine if placental cord drainage decreases the blood loss after spontaneous vaginal delivery

Postpartum hemorrhage complicates 3% of pregnancies in the United States and is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. ACOG defines PPH as cumulative blood loss greater than 1000cc; however a blood loss >500cc should be considered abnormal. Primary PPH occurs in the first 24 hours and is largely secondary to uterine agony. ACOG as well as the WHO recommend active management of the third stage of labor to prevent PPH. This includes oxytocin administration, uterine massage, and gentle cord traction. Placental cord drainage (PCD) is the unclamping of the umbilical cord to allow for drainage of the blood from the placenta. It is another technique used to shorten the third stage of labor; however, it has not been well studied

Inclusion Criteria:

• Singleton Gestation
• Ages 18-45
• English Speaking
• Third Trimester Gestation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Operative Vaginal Delivery
• Multiple Gestation
• Cesarean Delivery
• Episiotomy
• 3rd or 4th degree laceration
• Less than the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
• Chorioamnionitis
• History of Postpartum Hemorrhage
• Macrosomic Infant