AbstractObjectives: To compare oral misoprostol 600 microgram with 10 IU oxytocin intramuscularly in controlling PPH. Materials and Method: A total of 200 women of 37 weeks to 42 weeks of gestation delivering vaginally in the Adichunchanagiri Institute of medical Sciences, Mandya Karnataka. After randomization 200 women received oral misoprostol 600 microgram and 100 women received 10 IU intramuscularly oxytocin immediately after delivery of baby but before the delivery of placenta. Results: In the oxytocin group mean blood loss was 235 ml. Mean duration of third stage 4.58 minutes. In the misoprostol group mean duration of third stage of labour was 4.72min. Mean blood loss was 252 ml. No significant difference was observed in respect of above factors. 3 cases required additional uterotonic in misoprostolgroup, 2 patient required additional uterotonic in oxytocin group. Pyrexia was found in 1 patient in misoprostol group. Abdominal pain was seen in 4 patients in oxytocin group. Diarrhea was found in 2 patients of misoprostol group. Conclusion: Oral misoprostol is very effective in controlling PPH and it is comparable to oxytocin 10 IU intramuscularly. It can therefore be used in places, where facilities of storage and parenteral administration of oxytocin is limited.
Keywords: Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH); Misoprostol; Oxytocin.