A Comparison of the Excellent BRASSS-V Drape™ and an Indirect Blood Measurement Protocol for the Measurement of Blood Loss During Third Stage of Vaginal Delivery

Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality and serious maternal morbidity, especially in the developing world. In India, hemorrhage is a major cause of maternal mortality: A study by the Register General in 1993 showed that 23 percent of all maternal deaths in rural areas were caused by hemorrhage (Sibley, 2005).

The measurement of postpartum blood loss and identification of postpartum hemorrhage are important measures in efforts to prevent and treat postpartum hemorrhage. However, visual estimation of postpartum hemorrhage often leads to underestimation of blood loss and subsequent delays in the seeking or provision of appropriate treatment. In recent years, researchers have employed several different methods to measure blood loss in hospital and community-based birth settings. Although research has demonstrated that these laboratory measures are more accurate then visual estimation techniques, no studies have explicitly documented the systematic differences (if any) among different collection modalities. Moreover, only a few of these studies have correlated measured blood loss with changes in hemoglobin levels experienced between the antepartum and postpartum period. The aim of this study is to compare variations in the measurement of blood loss obtained using two popular measurement methods: the Excellent BRASSS-V Drape™ and a modified version of the blood collection method developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

We propose a randomized prospective study to compare the measurement of blood loss during the third stage of labor with two different methods: the modified WHO blood measurement protocol and the Excellent BRASSS-V Drape™. Upon admission in the labor ward, study staff will approach all delivering women about participation in the study and seek informed consent. Blood loss will be measured for all consenting women with vaginal deliveries.

Women who agree to participate will be randomized to one of two blood collection techniques: a modified version of the WHO blood measurement protocol or the Excellent BRASSS-V Drape™. Blood loss will be measured from immediately after delivery and cord clamping for a period of at least one hour or until active bleeding stops. The blood loss will then be quantified by the study staff and recorded on the study form. Women will receive the facility's standard care for the management of the third stage of labor and, if applicable, treatment of PPH.

Measures of postpartum hemoglobin levels will be taken at admission for delivery and twenty-four hours post-delivery for a randomly selected sub-set of study participants. Besides the measurement of blood loss and the regular measurement of hemoglobin for a sub-sample of participants, there will be no change to the hospital's standard procedures for labor and delivery.