Variations in policies for management of the third stage of labour and the immediate management of postpartum haemorrhage in Europe
2007

Management of Labour and Postpartum Haemorrhage in Europe

Sample size: 12 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Winter C, Macfarlane A, Deneux-Tharaux C, Zhang W-H, Alexander S, Brocklehurst P, Bouvier-Colle M-H, Prendiville W, Cararach V, van Roosmalen J, Berbik I, Klein M, Ayres-de-Campos D, Erkkola R, Chiechi L, Langhoff-Roos J, Stray-Pedersen B, Troeger C

Primary Institution: City University London

Hypothesis

What are the variations in policies for managing the third stage of labour and postpartum haemorrhage in Europe?

Conclusion

There are considerable variations in policies for managing the third stage of labour and postpartum haemorrhage across Europe.

Supporting Evidence

  • Policies for using uterotonics were widespread across most countries.
  • Policies about clamping and cutting the umbilical cord varied significantly.
  • Immediate management practices for postpartum haemorrhage showed considerable differences.

Takeaway

Different countries in Europe have different rules about how to help mothers after they give birth, especially when there is a lot of bleeding.

Methodology

A postal questionnaire was sent to maternity units in 14 European countries to gather data on their policies.

Potential Biases

Response bias may have occurred in countries with low response rates.

Limitations

The study did not assess the actual practices in maternity units, only their stated policies.

Participant Demographics

Participants included maternity units from 12 EU member states and 2 non-member countries.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.0005

Statistical Significance

p<0.0005

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01377.x

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