Methylergometrine during the early puerperium; a prospective randomized double blind study

Background The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of 72-hour prophylactic oral methylergometrine in reducing postpartum hemorrhage and endometritis during the early puerperium, and the effect of methylergometrine on lochia and requests for analgesics. Material and methods. A prospective randomized double-blind study was undertaken; a total of 217 women received 0.2 mg methylergometrine intravenously after delivery of the placenta and randomized to either tabl. Methergin(R) 0.125 mg or placebo three times a day for three days. The main measures were weight of sanitary towels, temperature, consumptions of analgesics and length of hospital stay. Results. We found no significant difference in the median amount of lochia, the need for analgesics or length of hospital stay between the two groups. Incidence of infection and postpartum hemorrhage were low in both groups. Conclusion. We conclude that prophylactic use of methylergometrine during early puerperium has no effect on lochia. Endometritis and postpartum hemorrhage were rare in both groups. There was no increase in requests for analgesics among women given oral methylergometrine.