The effects of rectal suppositories of Plantago major and Anetheum Graveolens on postpartum hemorrhage: A randomized triple blinded clinical trial

postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a known emergency in midwifery and is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of rectal suppositories of Plantago major and Anethum graveolens (Dill) on the PPH. A randomized triple blinded clinical trial was performed on 105 pregnant women who were eligible for the study and admitted to the vaginal delivery unit to Umm-al-Banin Hospital in Mashhad in 2018. Individuals were divided using random assignment into three 35-individual groups, namely Plantago major, Dill, and control groups. Measures were taken according to the hospital routine and participants received an infusion of 30 units of oxytocin after the infant birth. Intervention groups received the first dose of a rectal suppository of Plantago major 120 mg and rectal suppository of dill 290 mg immediately after removal of the placenta and embryonic membranes and uterine massage, and then the next doses were placed every half hour to 5 doses. The PPH was measured by weighing the blood bags and pads 4 h after labor. Average bleeding rate at the end of the first 4 h after delivery was 306.2 ± 11.2 cc in the control group, 282.4 ± 9.6 cc in the Dill group, and 253.5 ± 14.2 cc in the Plantago group; there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). The results demonstrated that rectal suppositories of Dill and Plantago are both effective for decreasing PPH, but Plantago rectal suppository can more effectively reduce PPH.