The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Postpartum hemorrhage is divided into two scenarios. The first type occurs within 24 hours after childbirth and is seen in four situations. The first is due to inadequate uterine contraction, the second is trauma to the soft birth canal, the third concerns placental factors, and the fourth involves coagulation disorders. The second type of hemorrhage is late postpartum bleeding, which occurs one to two months after childbirth. This can be associated with postpartum infections, slow recovery of physical condition postpartum, retained products, and poor healing of cesarean section scars.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Can there still be heavy bleeding one year after childbirth?

Under normal circumstances, postpartum hemorrhage is one of the serious obstetric complications that can endanger the life of the mother. It is most commonly due to poor uterine contraction after childbirth, causing bleeding, and generally occurs within 24 hours after childbirth or as late postpartum hemorrhage occurring more than ten days after childbirth. If a year has passed since childbirth, there generally will not be instances of severe hemorrhage. It is advised to undergo an ultrasound examination within 42 days after childbirth to confirm whether the recovery of the uterus and its appendages is satisfactory. If the uterus has recovered back to its normal pre-pregnancy state, it generally will not cause severe hemorrhage.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is it normal to have ovulation bleeding during postpartum breastfeeding?

During the postpartum breastfeeding period, it is normal for mothers to experience bleeding during ovulation. Most women who bleed during ovulation are affected by fluctuations in hormone levels in the body. The bleeding usually occurs midway between two menstrual periods, and the amount of blood is relatively small and light in color. It usually returns to normal within one to two days, so there is no need to worry when ovulation bleeding occurs. It is important to rest, avoid overwork, enhance nutrition, keep warm, and avoid getting cold. During breastfeeding, it is essential to observe the amount of vaginal bleeding. If menstruation resumes, it is crucial to pay attention to contraception.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Postpartum constipation and bleeding from the anus what's going on?

When constipation occurs after childbirth and there is anal bleeding, it may be due to fissures caused by constipation or hemorrhoids causing blood vessel rupture and bleeding. Postpartum, due to the reduced activity of the mother and the consumption of too refined foods, waste cannot be smoothly expelled, leading to difficulty in defecation due to fecal impaction. During straining, this might cause rupture of the anus or fissures, or lead to hemorrhoids by disrupting local blood circulation. It is advisable to go to the hospital for a check-up to see if it is serious, and if necessary, treatment to stop the bleeding may be required.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How long is the critical period for postpartum hemorrhage?

Postpartum hemorrhage generally occurs within 24 hours after giving birth, and sometimes it can occur 1-2 weeks postpartum. It is important to pay special attention during this time to see if there is an increase in vaginal secretions or bleeding. Generally, after giving birth, it is necessary to observe in the delivery room for two hours; if there is no bleeding within those two hours, the patient can be moved back to the ward. The main causes of postpartum hemorrhage include poor contraction of the uterus, retained placental tissue, abnormalities in the coagulation function of the woman's blood, and tears in the birth canal.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.