- Causes of postpartum hemorrhage
- How to prevent this bleeding
- How the treatment is done
- How is recovery
- Warning signs to return to the hospital
Postpartum hemorrhage corresponds to excessive blood loss after delivery due to the lack of contraction of the uterus after the baby has left. Hemorrhage is considered when the woman loses more than 500 mL of blood after normal delivery or more than 1000 mL after cesarean section. Postpartum hemorrhage is the main complication during and after delivery, which can lead to shock and, consequently, death. Find out what are the main causes of death in childbirth.
This type of bleeding occurs more frequently in women who have attempted a normal delivery for several hours but have ended up having a cesarean section. However, it can also happen in women who have a scheduled Caesarean section and who have not yet gone into labor.
Causes of postpartum hemorrhage
Some of the possible causes of postpartum hemorrhage are:
- Prolonged labor for more than 12 hours; Uterine atony, which is the loss of the ability of the uterus to contract; Great distention of the uterus during pregnancy of twins or more babies; Presence of fibroids in the uterus, which makes it difficult to contract uterus during labor; Use of medications, such as muscle relaxant, or large amounts of magnesium during pregnancy; Wound in the uterus caused by spontaneous delivery; Difficulties in blood clotting.
When one or more factors are present, the risk of bleeding after delivery is even greater.
Postpartum hemorrhage is due to the inability of the uterus to contract spontaneously after the placenta leaves, leading to the loss of significant amounts of blood. When more than 500 mL of blood is lost, it is necessary that the woman undergo a blood transfusion so that the heart, lung, brain and kidneys are not affected by the lack of blood and, consequently, of oxygen.
Despite being more common during childbirth, this hemorrhage can also occur until the first month after birth, if there are traces of the placenta still glued to the uterus, however, the latter does not put the mother's life at risk of death. See when to worry about postpartum bleeding.
How to prevent this bleeding
Although it is not possible to predict that there will be a hemorrhage during childbirth, it can be prevented by taking some measures, such as treating anemia during pregnancy, preparing for normal childbirth through preparation classes for childbirth and practice of exercises during pregnancy to gain more resistance and for a normal delivery to be faster.
In addition it is important to only take the medications indicated by the doctor, in the dosage and for the time recommended by the obstetrician, also reading the package insert and observing if there are signs that something is not right before and during labor.
How the treatment is done
The control of bleeding after childbirth is done by doctors through direct massage in the uterus and administration of oxytocin directly into the vein, as this hormone promotes contraction of the uterus. See what are the effects of oxytocin on the body.
In more severe cases, the doctor may choose to cut the arteries that irrigate the uterus or even by its removal, to control the bleeding and save the woman's life.
After an episode of postpartum bleeding it is normal for the woman to have anemia for a few more weeks, needing to take an iron supplement for a few months. The doctor may also ask the woman to receive a blood transfusion during hospital stay. Know in which situations blood transfusion is necessary.
How is recovery
Due to the great blood loss, the woman may have anemia for a few weeks, being necessary to carry out the treatment indicated by the doctor, which usually includes increased iron consumption. Among the symptoms of anemia are tiredness and excessive sleepiness, which can hinder the first care of the baby at home. Know the best foods for anemia.
Despite this, breastfeeding should not be harmed and all the mother's strengths must be in order to feed herself and ensure her safety and that of her baby. In addition, having someone at home to help with cooking, cleaning the house and washing clothes can be essential to keep calm and keep everything under control.
Warning signs to return to the hospital
Warning signs that should be investigated by the doctor:
- Fever; Intense abdominal pain; Fainting; Extreme weakness, difficulty standing or holding the baby on your lap.
These signs may indicate that the woman is very weak, and it may be necessary for the woman to be hospitalized to take blood through the vein to replace the amount of iron and hemoglobin needed.
