Umbilical Cord Drainage to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras400 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to analyze whether there is a significant difference in the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage between women who underwent umbilical cord drainage and those who did not. Variables such as estimated blood loss volume, drop in hemoglobin levels, and the need for additional maneuvers or treatments to control hemorrhage will be examined. The research will be conducted under a parallel-group clinical trial design at the Hospital Escuela Universitario. Post-birth umbilical cord drainage may contribute to a lower frequency of postpartum hemorrhage compared to not performing it.

This is a single-blind, parallel-group, superiority efficacy clinical trial. The intervention involves passive drainage of blood from the umbilical cord immediately after cord clamping and cutting, allowing it to flow into a calibrated drape. The control group receives standard active management of the third stage of labor without cord drainage. The primary objective is to compare postpartum blood loss between the groups. Secondary objectives include comparing pre- and postpartum hemoglobin levels, the need for additional therapeutic interventions (uterotonics, uterine revision, transfusion), incidence of adverse events related to cord management, and maternal satisfaction using the Birth Satisfaction Scale. The study plans to enroll 400 participants (200 per group) over approximately 6 months at a single center.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

400

Conditions

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Interventions

Umbilical Cord DrainagePROCEDURE

Following delivery of the newborn and immediate clamping/cutting of the umbilical cord, the maternal end of the cord is unclamped and allowed to drain passively. The cord is held over a sterile, graduated collection drape (Brass-V Drape) to facilitate the complete, gravity-dependent emptying of the residual placental blood (approximately 50-100 mL) prior to placental delivery. The procedure is completed within 1-3 minutes, after which standard controlled cord traction is applied to assist placental expulsion. This is a non-invasive adjunct to active management of the third stage of labor.

Standard Active Management of Third Stage (No Cord Drainage)OTHER

This arm receives the standard, evidence-based active management of the third stage of labor, as per institutional protocol, without the specific addition of umbilical cord drainage. The procedure includes immediate administration of a prophylactic uterotonic agent (e.g., oxytocin), delayed cord clamping (as per routine practice), controlled cord traction with counter-pressure on the uterus (Brandt-Andrews maneuver) to assist placental delivery, and uterine massage after placental expulsion. All blood loss is collected and measured in a standard graduated drape. This represents the current standard of care against which the experimental intervention is compared.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 49 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women aged 18-49 years. * Singleton pregnancy. * Gestational age ≥37 weeks. * active labor with cephalic presentation. * Planned for vaginal delivery. * Capable of providing informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Planned or emergent cesarean section. * Instrumental delivery (e.g., forceps, vacuum). * Antepartum hemorrhage. * Severe anemia (Hemoglobin \<8 g/dL) or specific hematological disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease, thalassemia, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia \<100,000/µL). * Use of anticoagulant medication. * Non-cephalic fetal presentation (e.g., breech, transverse). * Refusal to participate or inability to provide informed consent.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Postpartum Blood Loss Volume

Difference between estimated blood loss volume in the first 24 hours postpartum and an immediate postpartum baseline. Measured using a calibrated drape (Brass-V Drape)

Time frame: From delivery until 24 hours postpartum.

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Hemoglobin Levels

Difference between pre-delivery and postpartum (6-24 hours) hemoglobin levels (g/dL).

Time frame: Pre-delivery and at 6-24 hours postpartum.

Need for Additional Therapeutic Interventions

Requirement for additional uterotonics, uterine revision, blood transfusion, or surgical procedures to control hemorrhage.

Time frame: First 24 hours postpartum.

Incidence of Cord Management-Related Adverse Events

Occurrence of events such as retained placenta, hypovolemic shock.

Time frame: First 24 hours postpartum

Maternal Satisfaction Score

Maternal satisfaction with the intrapartum experience is measured using the validated Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R). This is a 10-item self-report questionnaire with three subscales: Quality of Care, Women's Personal Attributes, and Stress Experienced During Labor. Items are scored on a 4-point Likert scale (0-3). The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with a higher total score indicating greater birth satisfaction.

Time frame: At 2 hours postpartum.