Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 23, Issue 3 , Pages 317-326, June 2009

Common errors and remedies in managing postpartum haemorrhage

  • Hennie Lombaard, MBChB(Pret), MMED(OetG)(PRET), FCOG(SA) (Senior Specialist)

      Affiliations

    • Maternal and Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University of Pretoria, PO Box 2595 Montana Park, Pretoria, 0159 South Africa. Tel.:+27834078632; Fax:+27123296258.
    • ,
  • Robert C. Pattinson, MD, FCOG(SA), FRCOG (Director, Clinical Head)

      Affiliations

    • MRC Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Research Unit, South Africa
    • Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Kalafong, University of Pretoria, South Africa

published online 09 February 2009.

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. By only examining mortality, the full extent of the problem is not revealed and also it is important to evaluate the avoidable factors. This will identify the areas that need attention. The common errors include not treating anaemia in pregnancy, not practicing active management of the third stage of labour, delay in recognition, substandard care and lack of skills. The remedies include the correct medical treatment of PPH and the use of uterine tamponade. Cell savers can help to reduce the need for transfusion and transfusion associated complications. There are new treatment modalities such as embolisation that can be of value in certain settings.

Keywords: postpartum haemorrhage, maternal morbidity and mortality, B-Lynch, internal iliac ligation, uterine tamponade, cell saver

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PII: S1521-6934(09)00009-1

doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2009.01.006

Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 23, Issue 3 , Pages 317-326, June 2009

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