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Introduction: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, complicating 1% to 10% of deliveries. Despite improvement in prevention and management, variations in PPH definitions and measurement methods contribute to challenges in accurately assessing its incidence, with up to 90% of PPH-related deaths in high-income countries deemed avoidable through timely intervention. Oxytocin is the primary drug administered during labour or miscarriage, causing an increase in uterine muscle tone, which reduces bleeding and the risk of complications. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of oxytocin use by paramedics for out-of-hospital births in Poland and to verify adherence to WHO-recommended protocols for preventing postpartum haemorrhage in emergency prehospital settings. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Polish Central System for Emergency Medical Services Missions Monitoring covering all EMS interventions nationwide from 2018 to 2023. The study included cases where oxytocin was administered during EMS interventions for pregnant women, identified through ICD-10 codes (O30–O92), with 62 verified cases meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Over 6 years, oxytocin was administered in 62 cases when paramedics responded to emergencies involving pregnant women. The mean age of the patients to whom the oxytocin was administered was 29.48 years (SD = 6.25) and ranged from 15 to 43 years. Conclusions: Oxytocin is rarely administered by EMS teams at the prehospital stage. Oxytocin should be considered for incorporation into the set of medications that EMS teams can administer in prehospital settings. There is a need to train EMS teams in the management of pregnancy-related emergencies in accordance with the current medical guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergency medical teams are a crucial component of healthcare systems, routinely providing essential care to pregnant patients in various situations., Objectives: To evaluate the rate and outcomes of out-of-hospital deliveries attended by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Poland and identify areas for improvement in the care provided by emergency medical teams., Material and Methods: This retrospective study was based on 41,335 EMS emergency calls to women in advanced pregnancy, of which 879 births were delivered directly by medical teams between January 2018 and December 2022. Data were obtained from the Polish National Monitoring Center for Emergency Medical Services, encompassing all EMS interventions in Poland., Results: The study involved 879 EMS team interventions for pregnant women, with an average patient age of 29.87 years. Most patients were in their 2nd pregnancy (28.26%) and delivering for the 2nd time (25.77%). The postnatal condition of newborns, assessed using the Apgar score, was missing in 408 cases (46.52%) due to incorrect completion of documentation. Emergency Medical Services teams, predominantly P-type (basic) teams, handled 69.78% of deliveries, while S-type (specialist) teams were involved in 30.22% of cases. Medical procedures often performed during childbirth included manual assistance in spontaneous delivery, pulse oximetry, physical examination, examination of systemic blood pressure, obtaining peripheral intravenous access, and gynecological examination., Conclusions: Given the rate of encountered cases and the gaps identified in medical documentation, there is merit in potentially implementing a dedicated form to be completed by medical teams when caring for a pregnant patient. Ongoing training and enhancements in the range of assistance provided to the mother and newborn are imperative for ensuring appropriate care.