OBJECTIVES: To determine whether Tranexamic Acid is effective in reducing postpartum blood loss in vaginal and cesarean deliveries and if intravenous Tranexamic Acid can be used as a prophylaxis to reduce blood loss for vaginal and cesarean deliveries in primiparas.
METHODS: This is a Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial wherein two groups were assigned for the patients included, one for primiparas undergoing vaginal delivery and the other group for primiparas undergoing cesarean section. A dose of 2 grams of Tranexamic acid (given during the second stage of labor and over 30 minutes before abdominal delivery) were compared to primiparas to whom Tranexamic acid was not given. Blood loss was estimated from the main difference between the pre- and post-test hemoglobin and hematocrit obtained for each group and measured during two periods: first period was 30 minutes before
delivery and the second from the end of the delivery of the baby to 2 hours postpartum. The difference was then compared and was used in the computation of the statistics, where t-test on two independent samples was utilized.
RESULTS: One hundred twenty women were recruited to this study. The study was able to determine that those assigned to the Tranexamic acid or treatment group had significant reduction of postpartum blood loss as compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that use of Tranexamic Acid prior to vaginal or abdominal delivery can reduce blood loss and maternal morbidity in women.