Comparison of postpartum hemoglobine decrease levels in patients who had normal vaginal delivery versus cesarean section

Introduction: Cesarean section is an operation that carries a higher risk compared to normal vaginal delivery in terms of bleeding. In this study, we aimed to compare hemoglobin decreases in pregnant women who had normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Material and methods: In this study, pregnant women who had normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section between 01.01.2021 and 30.06.2022 in a university hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The pregnant women included in the study were standardized as those between the ages of 18-45, who did not have any systemic disease, and who gave birth to a baby between 2000-4000 gr at 37-41 weeks of gestation. The patients included in the study were divided into two groups as those who had normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section, and those who delivered by cesarean section were divided into two groups as primary cesarean section and previous cesarean section, and the decreases in hemoglobin levels taken before and at the 6th hour after delivery were statistically evaluated. Results: It was determined that 199 of the 473 pregnant women included in the study had normal delivery and 274 had a cesarean section (119 had a previous cesarean section and 155 had a primary cesarean section). Among the pregnant women included in the study, the mean postpartum Hb decrease was 0.73 ± 0.90 g/dl in the pregnant women who had normal delivery, and 1.41 ± 0.93 g/dl in those who delivered by cesarean section, the difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.000). The mean postpartum Hb decrease in those who underwent cesarean section with a previous cesarean indication was 1.30 ± 0.73 g/dl, and 1.49 ±0.9 g/dl in primary cesarean sections, the difference was statistically significant (p=0.045). Conclusion: With these results determined in accordance with the literature, it would be appropriate to take the necessary precautions by taking these findings into account when making a cesarean section decision.