Comparing the Efficacy of Dates and Oxytocin in the Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage

Introduction: The aim of study was a comparison between dates and oxytocin in prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. In modern obstetrics, general trend to utilize non-aggressive treatment methods that is quite safe, cheap and few symptoms. Date fruit has Calcium, serotonin, tannin, glucose that they are important for bleeding control.

Materials and Methods: This study was performed in Imam Reza and Hazrat Zainab Hospitals, Mashhad University of Medical Science. It was clinical trial that was performed on 62 women delivered in hospital. Immediately after placental delivery, 50 gram oral Deglet Noor dates (group 1) and 10 unit of intramuscular oxytocin (group 2) were given. At the same time a Plastic and a cotton sheet were widen under the patients and a pad was placed on the perineum to absorb blood or fluid. All pads were collected until 3 hour after placental delivery and were weighed every one hour. The difference, before and after weight was calculated.(100 gram increase in weight was considered to be equivalent to 100 ml blood).

Results: Blood loss mean in the end of first hour after delivery were significantly different in dates and oxytocin groups (104 ml vs 141.6 ml, p=0.043), But in second and third hour were not significant, although the bleeding in dates group was less. In whole three hours after delivery the blood loss mean in dates group was significantly less than oxytocin group (162.5 ml vs 220.7, p=0.02).

conclusion: Use of oral dates after delivery decreases bleeding more than intramascular oxytocin and it's a good alternative in normal delivery.