Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention Measures

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on August 31, 2024
00:00
00:00

Postpartum hemorrhage can cause significant harm to a woman's body and, in severe cases, can even pose a threat to the patient's life. Therefore, it is crucial to implement preventative measures for postpartum hemorrhage. During prenatal check-ups, it is important to assess whether the pregnant woman has any risks for bleeding, such as checking if her coagulation function is normal. Additionally, it is essential to check for any serious comorbidities, such as hepatitis, renal failure, or other hematological diseases. These conditions should be treated before pregnancy. It is also advised to give birth in a reputable hospital, where the delivery can be conducted under the guidance of experienced doctors in a well-equipped facility. This can help alleviate the tension of the pregnant woman, contributing to a smoother delivery process. Moreover, within the first two hours after childbirth, careful monitoring of vaginal bleeding is necessary. If there is a significant amount of vaginal bleeding, timely hemostatic treatment should be administered.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
39sec home-news-image

Should the uterus be removed due to severe postpartum hemorrhage?

Whether postpartum hemorrhage requires hysterectomy primarily depends on the severity of the hemorrhage and the specific causes of the postpartum hemorrhage. First, if the amount of postpartum hemorrhage is very substantial, leading to conditions like DIC in the pregnant woman, and if not removing the uterus may cause ongoing bleeding, it is essential to remove the uterus quickly to reduce vaginal bleeding. Second, if the postpartum hemorrhage is caused by issues like amniotic fluid embolism or poor contraction of the uterus, and conservative treatments are ineffective, it is also necessary to make a prompt decision to remove the uterus.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min home-news-image

What does postpartum hemorrhage feel like?

Postpartum hemorrhage refers to the condition where, within 24 hours after vaginal delivery, the amount of blood loss reaches 500 milliliters, and in the case of a cesarean section, the blood loss amounts to 1000 milliliters. During this time, the woman may experience a substantial amount of bleeding from the vagina, along with large blood clots. The primary cause of this condition is often significantly associated with poor contraction of the uterine muscles. Post-delivery, the blood sinuses in the uterine muscle layer are open, requiring the uterus to contract. If the contractions are inadequate, it may lead to bleeding from these blood sinuses. Additionally, bleeding could also potentially stem from post-surgical wounds, such as those from a cesarean section or wounds from vaginal delivery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
51sec home-news-image

What are the warning signs of postpartum hemorrhage?

Postpartum hemorrhage generally does not have warning signs but usually has precipitating factors. These factors include maternal fear, psychological tension, macrosomia or twin pregnancy, as well as conditions like uterine fibroids, placental abruption, or placenta previa. In cases of placenta previa during a cesarean section, there is a high likelihood of severe bleeding. There is only one condition that might signal an impending postpartum hemorrhage, which is placental abruption. If placental abruption occurs, it can cause severe abdominal pain along with issues of hypertension during pregnancy. If a person with pregnancy-induced hypertension experiences severe abdominal pain, this could be a precursor to postpartum hemorrhage.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
43sec home-news-image

Causes of Late Postpartum Hemorrhage

Late postpartum hemorrhage is most commonly caused by retained placenta and membranes. About ten days after childbirth, the patient may experience significant bleeding due to the degeneration and necrosis of the retained placental and membrane tissues within the uterine cavity. When these necrotic tissues are shed, it can cause the blood vessels to open and lead to bleeding. Additionally, poor healing of the placental site on the uterus can also cause bleeding, as can infections, with endometritis being relatively common. Inflammation can lead to poor healing of the placental attachment site or poor uterine contraction, resulting in significant uterine bleeding.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
1min 16sec home-news-image

The difference between postpartum hemorrhage and menstruation

The difference between postpartum hemorrhage and menstruation varies whether it is a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section. The timing of postpartum bleeding varies, and it also relates to postpartum lochia. If the bleeding occurs within 24 hours, it is called severe postpartum hemorrhage; most frequently, we encounter bleeding after 24 hours. Typically, for vaginal deliveries, bleeding occurs within seven days. In cesarean sections, due to the uterine incision, healing is needed, and the duration of bleeding varies by individual and health, commonly lasting from one to two months post-operation. Postpartum bleeding is due to incomplete healing of the uterine lining, which is different from menstrual bleeding. Menstrual bleeding is usually heavier in the initial days and the blood is dark red with a cyclic pattern. In contrast, postpartum bleeding does not have a cyclic nature; it usually consists of fresh red or dark blood, whereas menstrual bleeding typically involves dark blood.