Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTreatmentIncreased RiskPreventionHealing
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Treatment
Increased Risk
Prevention
Healing
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) refers to serious blood loss that occurs after childbirth. Usually, this happens in the first 24 hours after giving birth, but it’s possible up to 12 weeks postpartum.
This article will go over the symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage, as well as risk factors, treatment options, and more.
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Emergency Postpartum Hemorrhage Symptoms
Other symptoms of PPH include:
The primary cause of postpartum hemorrhage is uterine atony, which refers to the uterus not contracting as normal after childbirth. This could lead to a retained placenta, meaning that part of theplacenta(the organ that supplies the fetus with essential nutrients and oxygen during pregnancy) stays in the uterus after delivery. This can cause excessive bleeding.
Other potential causes of PPH include:
How Much Blood Loss Is Dangerous?
The exact amount of blood loss that constitutes postpartum hemorrhage is not universally agreed upon. However, it is typically defined as 1,000 milliliters (mL) or more of blood loss after a cesarean section (C-section, a surgical delivery) and 500 mL or more of blood loss after a vaginal delivery.
That said, if you experience symptoms ofhypovolemia(severe loss of blood and other fluids), you should typically be treated for PPH regardless of the exact amount of blood loss.
Postpartum Hemorrhage PrognosisPostpartum hemorrhage can be a life-threatening condition. Globally, it is the most common cause of maternal mortality. It is also responsible for a quarter of all maternal deaths in the postpartum period.In the United States, it is the cause of approximately 11% of maternal deaths.However, the condition can be effectively treated. The risks associated with PPH are significantly reduced if you notice the signs and reach out to a healthcare provider right away.
Postpartum Hemorrhage Prognosis
Postpartum hemorrhage can be a life-threatening condition. Globally, it is the most common cause of maternal mortality. It is also responsible for a quarter of all maternal deaths in the postpartum period.In the United States, it is the cause of approximately 11% of maternal deaths.However, the condition can be effectively treated. The risks associated with PPH are significantly reduced if you notice the signs and reach out to a healthcare provider right away.
Postpartum hemorrhage can be a life-threatening condition. Globally, it is the most common cause of maternal mortality. It is also responsible for a quarter of all maternal deaths in the postpartum period.In the United States, it is the cause of approximately 11% of maternal deaths.
However, the condition can be effectively treated. The risks associated with PPH are significantly reduced if you notice the signs and reach out to a healthcare provider right away.
Immediate Postpartum Hemorrhage Treatment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage, it’s crucial to get medical help right away to stop the bleeding.
While you’re still in the hospital, let a nurse or another healthcare provider know immediately if you are bleeding heavily. If you’re at home when you start to notice symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
What Stops Bleeding?
The main goals of treating postpartum hemorrhage are to stop the bleeding and replace blood that’s been lost, if necessary. Often, this is accomplished through medical means of trying to make the uterus contract in order to push out the retained placenta (if that is the cause of the bleeding).
Treatment options may include:
What Increases Postpartum Hemorrhage Risk?
Most people with PPH have no known risk factors. However, there are many factors that may increase your chance of experiencing severe postpartum bleeding, including:
Inducing Labor and Postpartum HemorrhageTaking medication such as Pitocin to induce (bring on) labor may increase your risk of postpartum hemorrhage.However, the benefits of labor induction sometimes outweigh the risks. For example, if you labor for too long without giving birth, you may need to have an emergency C-section, which can also increase your chance of developing PPH.Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and potential side effects associated with labor induction. They can make the right recommendation for you based on your needs.
Inducing Labor and Postpartum Hemorrhage
Taking medication such as Pitocin to induce (bring on) labor may increase your risk of postpartum hemorrhage.However, the benefits of labor induction sometimes outweigh the risks. For example, if you labor for too long without giving birth, you may need to have an emergency C-section, which can also increase your chance of developing PPH.Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and potential side effects associated with labor induction. They can make the right recommendation for you based on your needs.
Taking medication such as Pitocin to induce (bring on) labor may increase your risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
However, the benefits of labor induction sometimes outweigh the risks. For example, if you labor for too long without giving birth, you may need to have an emergency C-section, which can also increase your chance of developing PPH.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and potential side effects associated with labor induction. They can make the right recommendation for you based on your needs.
Is Postpartum Hemorrhage Preventable?
Healing After Postpartum Hemorrhage
After leaving the hospital, your healthcare provider may recommend that you continue to monitor your bleeding at home. If you continue to soak through pads, contact your provider right away.
Your healthcare provider may also suggest that you take an iron supplement to treatanemia, especially if your blood loss was extreme. It’s also important to prioritize rest, stay off your feet as much as possible, and drink plenty of fluids as you recover. You’ll most likely be asked to follow up with your medical team at several postpartum appointments.
Summary
PPH is a serious condition, but it can be treated effectively. Seek emergency medical help right away if you notice any signs of heavy bleeding within the first 12 weeks after giving birth.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG expands recommendations to treat postpartum hemorrhage.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 conditions to watch for after childbirth.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 conditions to watch for after childbirth.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG expands recommendations to treat postpartum hemorrhage.March of Dimes.Postpartum hemorrhage.McLintock C.Prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: focus on hematological aspects of management.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):542-546. doi:10.1182/hematology.2020000139The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Quantitative blood loss in obstetric hemorrhage.American Pregnancy Association.Retained placenta.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG expands recommendations to treat postpartum hemorrhage.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 conditions to watch for after childbirth.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 conditions to watch for after childbirth.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG expands recommendations to treat postpartum hemorrhage.March of Dimes.Postpartum hemorrhage.McLintock C.Prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: focus on hematological aspects of management.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):542-546. doi:10.1182/hematology.2020000139The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Quantitative blood loss in obstetric hemorrhage.American Pregnancy Association.Retained placenta.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG expands recommendations to treat postpartum hemorrhage.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 conditions to watch for after childbirth.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 conditions to watch for after childbirth.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG expands recommendations to treat postpartum hemorrhage.March of Dimes.Postpartum hemorrhage.McLintock C.Prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: focus on hematological aspects of management.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):542-546. doi:10.1182/hematology.2020000139The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Quantitative blood loss in obstetric hemorrhage.American Pregnancy Association.Retained placenta.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG expands recommendations to treat postpartum hemorrhage.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 conditions to watch for after childbirth.
March of Dimes.Postpartum hemorrhage.
McLintock C.Prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: focus on hematological aspects of management.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):542-546. doi:10.1182/hematology.2020000139
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Quantitative blood loss in obstetric hemorrhage.
American Pregnancy Association.Retained placenta.
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