Title:The Factors Associated with the Length of the Third Stage of Labour: A
Descriptive-Analytical Study
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mansoureh Refaei, Soodabeh Aghababaei, Mansoureh Yazdkhasti, Farideh Kazemi*Fatemeh Farahmandpour
Affiliation:
- Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Mother and Child Care Research Center, School of Nursing and
Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Keywords:
Labour stage, third stage, length, placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, parturition.
Abstract:
Background: Several risk factors have been identified for postpartum hemorrhage, one
of which being the duration of the third stage of labour. This stage refers to the interval between
the expulsion of the fetus to the expulsion of the placenta. Some bleeding occurs in this stage due
to the separation of the placenta.
Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the length of the third stage of
labour.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 women hospitalized for vaginal birth were selected via
convenience sampling. The study data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The
data were then analyzed using univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses.
Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 26.41 (6.26) years. Investigation of the relationship
between the study variables and the time of placental separation indicated that a minute increase
in the length of membrane ruptures caused a 0.003 minute decrease in the time of placental
separation. However, this time increased by 2.75, 6.68, and 2.86 minutes in the individuals without
history of abortion, those with history of stillbirth, and those who had not received hyoscine, respectively.
The results of multivariate analysis indicated that suffering from preeclampsia or hypertension,
history of stillbirth, not receiving hyoscine, and not receiving misoprostol increased the
length of the third stage by 4.40, 8.55, 2.38, and 6.04 minutes, respectively.
Conclusion: Suffering from preeclampsia and having the history of stillbirth increased and using
hyoscine and misoprostol decreased the length of the third stage of labour. However, no significant
relationship was found between the length of the third stage of labour and mother’s age, gestational
age, parity, mother’s body mass index, mother’s chronic disorders, history of manual placenta removal,
length of the first and second stages, membranes rupture, induction, amount of oxytocin after
delivery, and infant’s weight and gender.