Another explanation for the findings of this study
is the difference in the characteristics of women
included in this study compared to previous
studies. All women who gave birth vaginally were
included in the study regardless of their risk
factors for primary PPH. This includes women
whose labours were induced, augmented, received
epidural analgesia, or had an assisted delivery.
Some of the previous studies have excluded these
groups, making conclusions difficult to interpret
(McDonald et al, 2009). Given that the majority
of previous studies are more than 10 years old,
possible differences in the demographics of women
giving birth (such as increasing maternal age and
increasing rates of obesity) alongside changes in practice may explain the difference in these findings
compared to previous studies. In support of
this view, McDonald et al (2009), suggested that
it may be prudent to undertake further studies
on the choice of oxytocic to determine if current
recommendations remain valid.