Active management of the third stage of labor includes administration of an oxytocic agent after delivery of the anterior shoulder, early cord clamping, and controlled cord traction. This management decreases maternal blood loss, risk of postpartum hemorrhage, length of the third stage, and the need for blood transfusion. Despite an increase in maternal nausea and vomiting, active management of the third stage is strongly encouraged. Placental cord drainage, which involves clamping and cutting the cord after delivery and then immediately unclamping the maternal side (allowing blood to drain freely), decreases the length of the third stage of labor