The use of an Oxytocic Agent in the Management of the Third Stage of Labour.

Abstract

Our objective was to find the most appropriate time a sole accoucheur should give an oxytocic agent In the management of the third stage of labour. The outcome of the management of the third stage of labour of 440 parturient, was studied. Various time schedule for the administration of an oxytocic and the consequence of these were analysed. The administration of an oxytocic at the crowning of the head or the delivery of the anterior shoulder of the foetus is a method practised mainly, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra (capital city of Ghana) At the Volta River Authority) (V.R.A.) district hospital at Akosombo (a rural area in the Eastern Region of Ghana. where the midwives usually do deliveries alone) the drug is mainly given after the delivery of the baby or placenta. For Single. unaided accoucheur the administration of the oxytocic after the delivery (of the baby followed by controlled cord traction that is the Brandt Andrew's method of delivering the placenta appears the most practical approach to the management of the third stage of labour because the complication are few.