What is a postpartum hemorrhage?
A postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is heavy bleeding that occurs following delivery. Although the specific definition of postpartum hemorrhage varies, most doctors define a hemorrhage as the loss of than a half liter of blood at vaginal delivery or 1 liter of blood at the time of cesarean delivery. Postpartum hemorrhage occurs in approximately 5 percent of deliveries and remains the most common cause of maternal death worldwide. What causes a postpartum hemorrhage? Postpartum hemorrhage is most often caused by uterine atony, a condition in which the uterine muscle fails to contract after delivery. Excessive bleeding can also be caused by tears in the vagina, cervix or uterus that occur at delivery or by pieces of placenta that remain in the uterus after delivery. Risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage include maternal bleeding disorders, fibroids and placenta previa. What can be done to treat a postpartum hemorrhage? Is there a way to prevent PPH? Fortunately, there are a number of effectiv
