Postpartum Hemorrhage - Prevention and Management

Most maternal deaths due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) occur in low-income countries in settings (both hospital and community) where there are no birth attendants or where birth attendants lack the necessary skills or equipment to prevent and manage PPH and shock. In hospital, obstetricians should try to perform the prediction and prevention of PPH, finding the risk factors for developing PPH and how can they be minimised. The treatment of patients with PPH has two major components: (1) Resuscitation and management of obstetric hemorrhage and, possibly, hypovolemic shock and (2) Indentification and management of the underlying cause(s) of the hemorrhage. Successful management of PPH requires that both components be simultaneously and systematically addressed. PPH is a potential life-threatening event. Right from the start, obstetricians have early opportunities to assess risk, anticipate, prevent, plan in advance of a PPH, and can help to improve patients outcomes Key words: postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)