BACKGROUND Active management of the third stage of labour has been shown to reduce the risk of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) greater than 1000 mL. One aspect of the active management protocol is the administration of prophylactic uterotonics, however, the type of uterotonic, dose, and route of administration vary across the globe and may have an impact on maternal outcomes. OBJECTIVES To deter...

BACKGROUND Relatively little is known about current practice during the third stage of labour in low and middle income countries. We conducted a survey of attitudes and an audit of practice in a large maternity hospital in Albania. METHODS Survey of 35 obstetricians and audit of practice during the third stage was conducted in July 2008 at a tertiary referral hospital in Tirana. The survey qu...

BACKGROUND Enthusiasts suggest that labouring in water and waterbirth increase maternal relaxation, reduce analgesia requirements and promote a midwifery model of care. Sceptics cite the possibility of neonatal water inhalation and maternal/neonatal infection. OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence from randomised controlled trials about immersion in water during labour and waterbirth on maternal,...

In this Practice article (BMJ 2014;349:g4778, doi:10.1136/bmj. g4778) by Duffy and colleagues, an error occurred in the first paragraph. The authors provided a correction [http://www.bmj. com/content/349/bmj.g5173]which requires further clarification. The second sentence should now read: “The third stage of labour can be managed actively or physiologically, defined by the National Institute for...