Postpartum hemorrhage (also called PPH) is when a woman has heavy bleeding after giving birth. It’s a serious but rare condition. It usually happens within 1 day of giving birth, but it can happen up to 12 weeks after having a baby. About 1 to 5 in 100 women who have a baby (1 to 5 percent) have PPH. Show
It’s normal to lose some blood after giving birth. Women usually lose about half a quart (500 milliliters) during vaginal birth or about 1 quart (1,000 milliliters) after a cesarean birth (also called c-section). A c-section is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your doctor makes in your belly and uterus (womb). With PPH, you can lose much more blood, which is what makes it a dangerous condition. PPH can cause a severe drop in blood pressure. If not treated quickly, this can lead to shock and death. Shock is when your body organs don’t get enough blood flow. When does PPH happen? After your baby is delivered, the uterus normally contracts to push out the placenta. The contractions then help put pressure on bleeding vessels where the placenta was attached in your uterus. The placenta grows in your uterus and supplies the baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord. If the contractions are not strong enough, the vessels bleed more. It can also happen if small pieces of the placenta stay attached. How do you know if you have PPH? You may have PPH if you have any of these signs or symptoms. If you do, call your health care provider or 911 right away:
Are some women more likely than others to have PPH? Yes. Things that make you more likely than others to have PPH are called risk factors. Having a risk factor doesn’t mean for sure that you will have PPH, but it may increase your chances. PPH usually happens without warning. But talk to your health care provider about what you can do to help reduce your risk for having PPH. You’re more likely than other women to have PPH if you’ve had it before. This is called having a history of PPH. Asian and Hispanic women also are more likely than others to have PPH. Several medical conditions are risk factors for PPH. You may be more likely than other women to have PPH if you have any of these conditions: Conditions that affect the uterus
Conditions that affect the placenta
Conditions during labor and birth
Other conditions
How is PPH tested for and treated? Your provider may use these tests to see if you have PPH or try to find the cause for PPH:
Treatment depends on what’s causing your bleeding. It may include:
Last reviewed March 2020 Which measurement best describes postpartum hemorrhage?Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is commonly defined as blood loss exceeding 500 mL following vaginal birth and 1000 mL following cesarean.
Which complication is most likely responsible for a late postpartum hemorrhage?Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
Which of the following nursing interventions is prescribed would have the most direct effect on reducing postpartum hemorrhage?Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage
The most effective intervention for preventing PPH is the use of uterotonics—drugs that contract the uterus— during the third stage of labor before the placenta is delivered.
Which of the following normal findings would be expected when assessing the postpartum client?Which of the following findings would be expected when assessing the postpartum client? Fundus 1 cm above the umbilicus 1 hour postpartum. Within the first 12 hours postpartum, the fundus usually is approximately 1 cm above the umbilicus. The fundus should be below the umbilicus by PP day 3.
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