Route of postpartum oxytocin administration and maternal hemoglobin decline - A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Oxytocin uterotonic agents are routinely administered during the third stage of labor, however, the administration route is varying, intravenously or intramuscularly. We aimed to compare the effect of different regimens of postpartum oxytocin administration on hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) decline.

Methods: A randomized, 3-arm study of women who delivered vaginally at term in a single tertiary medical center was conducted.