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Postpartum Hemorrhage(Obstetric Hemorrhage)
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionPostpartum hemorrhage is when a woman loses too much blood after giving birth. It is called primary when it happens in the first 24 hours after giving birth. It is called secondary (or delayed) when it happens between 24 hours to 6 weeks after giving birth.
CausesCauses may be:
In some women, uterine inversion or uterine rupture may also be a cause. Risk FactorsThings that may raise the risk are:
SymptomsThe main symptom is heavy blood loss after having a child. There may also be swelling and pain in the pelvic area. DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. The doctor will check for bleeding. Your blood will be tested. Pictures will be taken. This can be done with an ultrasound. TreatmentTreatment is based on how much a woman is bleeding. Options are:
Some women may need surgery when other methods do not help. The type of surgery done depends on the source of the bleeding. PreventionThere are no known guidelines to prevent this health problem. RESOURCES:The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org American Pregnancy Association http://www.americanpregnancy.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Health Canada https://www.canada.ca Women's Health Matters http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca References:
Postpartum hemorrhage. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/postpartum-hemorrhage. Accessed October 19, 2020.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Prevention and Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage: Green-top Guideline No. 52. BJOG. 2017 Apr;124(5):e106-e149. Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG Last Updated: 4/27/2021 | |