By Lovetti Lafua
Nurse • Midwife • Biologist • Maternal Health Advocate • Human Optimization Researcher

Active Management of the Third Stage of Labour Explained

Hospitals often use synthetic oxytocin and cord traction to deliver the placenta quickly. But how does this compare to physiological placental birth?

In the Previous Post We Explore What happens When the Placenta Doesn’t Detach Easily

In many hospitals today, the placenta is delivered through a protocol called active management of the third stage of labour.

This approach was introduced in the mid-20th century with the arrival of synthetic oxytocin.

The idea is simple.

Stimulate uterine contractions with medication, clamp the cord, and assist the placenta’s birth.

For many clinical situations, this can be lifesaving.

But there is also growing interest in understanding how the body completes this process naturally when birth unfolds without disturbance.