Placental cord drainage in the third stage of labor: Randomized clinical trial

<div><p>Methods</p><p>An open randomized clinical trial was developed at <i>Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof</i>. <i>Fernando Figueira</i> (IMIP) in Recife and at <i>Petronila Campos</i> Municipal Hospital in São Lourenço da Mata, both in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, including 226 low-risk pregnant women bearing a single, full-term, live fetus after delayed cord clamping, 113 randomized to placental cord drainage and 113 to a control group not submitted to this procedure. Women incapable of understanding the study objectives and those who went on to have an instrumental or cesarean delivery were excluded.</p><p>Results</p><p>Duration of the third stage of labor did not differ between the two groups (14.2±12.9 versus 13.7±12.1 minutes (mean ± SD), p = 0.66). Likewise, there was no significant difference in mean blood loss (248±254 versus 208±187ml, p = 0.39) or in postpartum hematocrit levels (32.3±4.06 versus 32.8±4.25mg/dl, p = 0.21). Furthermore, no differences were found between the groups for any of the secondary outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage >500 or >1000ml, therapeutic use of oxytocin, third stage >30 or 60 minutes, digital evacuation of the uterus or curettage, symptoms of postpartum anemia and maternal satisfaction).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Placental cord drainage had no effect in reducing duration or blood loss during the third stage of labor.</p><p>Clinical trials registration</p><p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="https://www.clinicaltrial.gov" target="_blank">www.clinicaltrial.gov</a>, <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01655576" target="_blank">NCT01655576</a>.</p>