Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (bleeding from the genital tract after childbirth) is a major cause of maternal mortality and disability,
particularly in under-resourced areas. In these settings, uterotonics are often not accessible. There is a need for simple, inexpensive
techniques which can be applied in low-resourced settings to prevent and treat PPH. Uterine massage is recommended as part of the
routine active management of the third stage of labour. However, it is not known whether it is effective. If shown to be effective, uterine
massage would represent a simple intervention with the potential to have a major effect on PPH and maternal mortality in underresourced
settings.