Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity following childbirth. Even when excessive bleeding is not clinically recognized, some women experience a significant decrease in hemoglobin levels after delivery, which may result in anemia, fatigue, delayed recovery, and the need for additional medical treatment.
Calcium plays an important role in uterine muscle contraction and blood clotting. Previous studies have suggested that calcium administration may help reduce blood loss after childbirth. However, there is limited evidence regarding its effectiveness during vaginal delivery.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether administration of intravenous calcium gluconate immediately after umbilical cord clamping can reduce postpartum blood loss following vaginal delivery.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either calcium gluconate or a placebo solution immediately after umbilical cord clamping during vaginal delivery. Neither the participants nor their healthcare providers will know which treatment was administered. Blood tests routinely obtained during hospitalization after delivery will be used to assess changes in hemoglobin levels and other outcomes related to postpartum bleeding.
The results of this study may help determine whether calcium gluconate is a safe and effective intervention for reducing postpartum blood loss after vaginal delivery.