What Are The 4 Most Common Causes Of Postpartum Hemorrhage?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The Four T’s mnemonic can be used to identify and address the four most common causes of postpartum hemorrhage (

uterine atony

What are the three main causes of postpartum hemorrhage?

  • Placental abruption. The early detachment of the placenta from the uterus.
  • Placenta previa. The placenta covers or is near the cervical opening.
  • Overdistended uterus. …
  • Multiple pregnancy. …
  • Gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. …
  • Having many previous births.
  • Prolonged labor.
  • Infection.

What are the 4 T’s of PPH?

As a way of remembering the causes of PPH, several sources have suggested using the “4 T’ s” as a mnemonic:

tone, tissue, trauma, and thrombosis

.

Who is at risk for postpartum hemorrhage?

Risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage among the deliveries were:

fetal macrosomia

(over 4000 g); pregnancy-induced hypertension; pregnancy generated by assisted reproductive technology; severe vaginal or perineal lacerations; and weight gain over 15 kg during pregnancy.

What are the causes of obstetric haemorrhage?

The major causes of primary postpartum hemorrhage include

uterine atony, retained placenta, lower genital tract lacerations and hematomas, uterine rupture, consumptive coagulopathy, and acute inversion of the uterus

.

What causes hemorrhaging during childbirth?


After the placenta is delivered

, these contractions help put pressure on the bleeding vessels in the area where the placenta was attached. If the uterus does not contract strongly enough, these blood vessels bleed freely. This is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.

What are the types of postpartum hemorrhage?

Postpartum hemorrhage can be divided into 2 types: early postpartum hemorrhage, which occurs within 24 hours of delivery, and

late postpartum hemorrhage

, which occurs 24 hours to 6 weeks after delivery. Most cases of postpartum hemorrhage, greater than 99%, are early postpartum hemorrhage.

What is Sheehan syndrome?

Sheehan’s syndrome is a

condition that affects women who lose a life-threatening amount of blood in childbirth

or who have severe low blood pressure during or after childbirth, which can deprive the body of oxygen. This lack of oxygen that causes damage to the pituitary gland is known as Sheehan’s syndrome.

How do you prevent postpartum hemorrhage?

The most effective strategy to prevent postpartum hemorrhage is

active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL)

. AMTSL also reduces the risk of a postpartum maternal hemoglobin level lower than 9 g per dL (90 g per L) and the need for manual removal of the placenta.

What are 2 common changes in the first 6 weeks postpartum?

The changes in your body may include

sore muscles and bleeding

. Contractions calledafterpains shrink the uterus for several days after childbirth. Shrinking of the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size may take 6 to 8 weeks. Sore muscles (especially in the arms, neck, or jaw) are common after childbirth.

Can low iron cause postpartum hemorrhage?

It has long been considered that

anemia increases

the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)

5

and the two conditions together contribute to 40–43% of maternal deaths in Africa and Asia. Few studies exist that have linked the risk of PPH by level of anemia and indicate a weak association.

What are the complications of postpartum hemorrhage?

Complications include

sterility, uterine perforation, uterine synechiae (Asherman syndrome), urinary tract injury and genitourinary fistula, bowel injury and genitointestinal fistula, vascular injury, pelvic hematoma, and sepsis

.

What is Obstetrical hemorrhage?

Obstetrical bleeding is

bleeding in pregnancy that occurs before, during, or after childbirth

. Bleeding before childbirth is that which occurs after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Bleeding may be vaginal or less commonly into the abdominal cavity.

How does postpartum hemorrhage happen?

It happens

when the muscles in your uterus don’t contract (tighten) well after birth

. Uterine contractions after birth help stop bleeding from the place in the uterus where the placenta breaks away.

What causes hemorrhage?

Potential causes of severe or sudden hemorrhaging include:

traumatic injury from events

such as car accidents, bullet wounds, impalement, falls, explosions, and crush injuries. embolism (objects that become trapped in blood vessels and reduce blood flow) broken bones.

What can you teach someone about postpartum hemorrhage?

Be sure to discuss bleeding parameters, to help patients distinguish heavy postpartum bleeding from hemorrhage. Instruct them to seek

immediate medical help

if they saturate a perineal pad with blood in 15 minutes or less or if blood pools under their buttocks.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.