29/09/2018
THIRD STAGE- PLACENTA BIRTH
⭐️ Third stage is the period from the birth of the baby to complete expulsion of the placenta and membranes.
☝🏻Progress of the first and second stage of labour are likely to impact on management of the third stage as well.
❓What are the different options during this stage?
The third stage can be physiological or active management.
⭐️ Physiological process is when the placenta is delivered without any manoeuvre or any use of drug (utero tonic).
The third stage, in this case, usually lasts between 5 and 15 minutes, but any period up to 1 hour may be considered normal.
👍🏻 Advantages: It is not painful. This is a natural way to deliver the placenta.
👎🏻 Disadvantages: It may take longer to deliver the placenta. There is an increased risk of bleeding.
⭐️ Active management of the third stage, an active management usually includes the routine prophylactic administration of uterotonic drug and/or the use of some manoeuvres as cord traction.
👍🏻 Advantages: The injection can help prevent heavy bleeding initially which some women may experience without it. It will shorten the time taken to deliver the placenta.
👎🏻 Disadvantages: It can make you feel sick, vomit and have a headache. Uterotonic are administer by an injection or infusion.
👉🏻 Consider to discuss previously with your midwife or include your option in the birth plan.