A postpartum hemorrhage, also known as PPH, is a serious but rare condition that causes women to bleed uncontrollably after giving birth. This typically happens within 1 day of giving birth but can occur up to 12 weeks after having a baby. Although it's normal to lose blood during childbirth, a postpartum hemorrhage is much more serious. Due to significant blood loss, postpartum hemorrhage can cause a drop in your blood pressure. Your organs may
not get enough blood flow which can cause you to go into shock and possibly die. When you’re pregnant, your body develops a placenta — an organ that develops inside your uterus. It is a structure for your baby that provides them with the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow. It also removes waste products from your baby’s food. The placenta attaches to the wall of your uterus, and your baby's
umbilical cord comes out from it. After childbirth, the uterus typically contracts to push out the placenta. These contractions can help put pressure on the bleeding vessels near where the placenta is typically attached inside your uterus. If the contractions during childbirth aren’t strong enough, the vessels bleed more. Bleeding can also happen if small pieces of the placenta don’t leave the body and stay attached. If the placenta isn’t delivered within 30
minutes after childbirth, it’s known as a retained placenta. If it or parts of it are still attached to the uterine wall, it can cause severe infection or life-threatening blood loss. Signs of placental problems include: If you have questions about the placenta or placental problems during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider. They can help you better understand the placenta's
role during your pregnancy. Each woman is unique and may experience postpartum hemorrhage differently. These are the most common symptoms:How Does Postpartum Hemorrhage Happen?
Symptoms of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Some women are more at risk for postpartum hemorrhage than others. Some conditions that increase your risk include: Postpartum hemorrhage may also be caused by: Your doctor can help diagnose postpartum hemorrhages. After reviewing your health history, they will do a variety of tests including: Your doctor can help determine which treatment options will work best for you. They’ll evaluate:Cause
of Postpartum Hemorrhage
How is Postpartum Hemorrhage Diagnosed?
How is Postpartum Hemorrhage Treated?
- Your health history, overall health, and pregnancy
- Severity of the postpartum hemorrhage condition
- Your tolerance for different medications and treatments
- Your personal preference
The goal of treatment is to stop you from bleeding as quickly as possible. Treatment for PPH may include:
- Medication
- Massaging the uterus to start contractions
- Removal of any placenta pieces still in the uterus
- Examination of the uterus and pelvic tissue
- Inserting a Foley catheter or a Bakri balloon to compress bleeding in the uterus
- Packing the uterus with sterile materials and sponges
- Tying off bleeding blood vessels
- Surgery where the abdomen is cut open to find the source of the bleeding
- Surgical removal of the uterus, which may be considered as a last resort
Replacing lost fluids and blood is important in treating postpartum hemorrhage. Intravenous (IV) fluids, as well as blood and blood products, can be given rapidly to prevent shock. The mother may also receive oxygen by mask.
Postpartum hemorrhage can be quite serious. However, quickly detecting and treating the cause of bleeding can often lead to a full recovery.