The findings for this study support the views
expressed by staff and the findings reflected in the
literature. The use of Syntocinon 10 iu as part of
the active management of the third stage is associated
with increase in recorded blood loss following
delivery. However, in contrast to national evidence
this increase was statistically significant in estimated
blood loss above 1000 ml (0.59% vs. 1.74%).
The validity of these findings could be questioned
in view of the issues and the limitations discussed
above. Possible explanations for these findings
have been considered, including the principle that
such a major change in the management of the
third stage, coupled with its proven increase in PPH
rates between 500 and 1000 ml, may have lead to
an overestimation of blood loss in the study centre.
Other explanations may be participant bias as this
was not a randomized study, as well as the different
actions of Syntocinon compared to Syntometrine
which necessitates a different approach to the use
of CCT. An alternative explanation could be that a
difference in the demographics of women giving
birth and management of labour in 2010 may have
accounted for these results. However, this study
illustrates the need to raise awareness about the
different effects of Syntocinon on uterine muscle
and to ensure that CCT is only applied when the
uterus is contracted.