Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/RnDteFmdD5o Women who give birth via a vaginal delivery that requires an instrumental assist using either forceps or a gentle vacuum benefit from a single dose of a common antibiotic.  A just published study from the University of Oxford in The Lancet journal shows a significant reduction in post-partum infection after one intravenous dose of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, better known as Augmentin. The randomized, blinded study looked at nearly 3500 women who gave birth in 27 British obstetric units.  The group that received a single dose of antibiotic enjoyed a 42% reduction in postpartum infection.  The antibiotic advantage was somewhat greater for those women requiring forceps versus vacuum assist.  There also appeared to be an antibiotic advantage for those women requiring an episiotomy despite the lack of need for instrumentation.  Prophylactic antibiotics are currently recommended by the World Health Organization for all women delivering by c-section.  This study suggests the s