Third Stage of Birth: Delivery of Placenta
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In this, the shortest stage of labour, lasting no more
than 5 to 20 minutes,
separation and expulsion take place, following
of the baby. The
will separate from the wall of the uterus and be expelled from the body,
along with the
and other . The
placenta is examined to check if it is intact and if not, the rest of
the placenta is removed from the uterus.
For the mother the main risks in this stage of birth are
during or after separation of the placenta, as well as retention of the
placenta. Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the main causes of maternal
mortality; the large majority of these cases occuring in developing countries.
The incidence of postpartum haemorrhage and retention of the placenta
is increased if predisposing factors are present, such as or ,
and . Therefore the mother is often given an oxytocic
to decrease estimated postpartum blood loss.
See also ( fourth stage of birth )
and of the .
The information in this page is presented in summarised form and has been taken
from the following source(s):
1.
Care in Normal Birth: A Practical Guide. Report of a Technical Working Group,
World Health Organisation, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 1999.
http://www.who.org
2.
Bayfront's Health Adventure, A Woman's Way to Health: http://www.bayfront.org/
Introduction
