What is Postpartum Haemorrhage?

Postpartum haemorrhage is a serious condition that occurs after childbirth. It causes severe vaginal bleeding that can become life-threatening. The other common signs of postpartum haemorrhage are blurred vision, dizziness, and low blood pressure. It can happen right after delivery or until 12 weeks. Therefore you must visit the healthcare provider if you have severe vaginal bleeding after childbirth.

Postpartum haemorrhage is a condition in which the blood loss is more than 32 ounces through the vagina. It can happen in both ways of delivery, either caesarean or vaginal delivery. The blood loss is significant enough to cause your blood pressure to drop and your heart rate to fall below normal. If left untreated, it can lead to shock due to lots of blood loss. After delivery, it is a good idea to visit the healthcare provider once so that they can evaluate your health. To get an expert opinion, you can visit a gynecologist.

What Are The Types Of Postpartum Haemorrhage?

Postpartum haemorrhage can be classified into two types. The primary postpartum haemorrhage occurs within 24 hours of delivery. While the secondary haemorrhage occurs after 24 hours till 12 weeks of delivery.

Why Does Postpartum Haemorrhage Occur?

When you are pregnant, your child gets nutrition and oxygen through the placenta. The placenta is deeply embedded in your uterus. However, at birth, the placenta is cut down from the baby. The other end of the placenta, attached to your body, detaches itself sometime after delivery. For that, your uterus contracts so the blood vessel attached to the placenta can also get compressed and not bleed. In some cases, the contractions are not strong enough, and the blood vessels do not get compressed, eventually leading to postpartum haemorrhages.

Postpartum haemorrhage can also occur if the placenta or a part of it remains attached to the uterus. Or it can also happen if your reproductive organs are damaged during childbirth. In most cases, it occurs right after placenta delivery. If it is acute, your healthcare providers will manage it with blood transfusion and fluid replacement.

The risk for postpartum haemorrhage is increased if you have any coagulation disorder or any health condition. If you have any blood disease or coagulation disorder, make sure to inform your healthcare provider beforehand so they have an idea and can manage the situation well.

How Serious Is Postpartum Haemorrhage?

Postpartum haemorrhage is a very serious condition that can easily become life-threatening. The blood loss is severe enough to cause death. Therefore your healthcare provider can not take it lightly. If you notice severe bleeding even after getting discharged from the hospital, you should visit the emergency department to get the appropriate care as soon as possible.

What Are The Symptoms Of Postpartum Haemorrhage?

The most common symptom of postpartum haemorrhage is severe and persistent vaginal bleeding. In most cases, it starts right after delivery. The other common symptoms of it can be:

• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Feeling like fainting
• Increased heart rate
• Decreased red blood cells count
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale skin
• Pelvic or abdominal pain

You must tell your healthcare providers how you are feeling during and after the delivery. Sometimes the signs are not apparent, and it matters how you feel. Your insight can help the healthcare providers conclude soon and with ease. However, in some cases, the postpartum haemorrhage symptoms occur when you have left the hospital.

How Is Postpartum Haemorrhage Treated?

The healthcare providers take postpartum haemorrhage as an emergency condition. They would check the source of bleeding and try to stop it. Along with that, replenish the blood and fluid loss to prevent shock. The common things done to stabilise the person with postpartum haemorrhage are:

• Uterine massage to contract your uterus muscles that can help stop the bleeding.
• Giving medications that can help stimulate contractions.
• Removal of retained placental tissue from your uterine wall.
• Repair any lacerations or tears in the uterus, cervix, or vagina.
• Packing the uterus with a sterile gauze piece.
• Using a catheter or a balloon to put pressure on the uterine wall.
• Uterine artery embolization- a procedure in which blocking agents are introduced into certain blood vessels.
• Blood transfusion to make up for the blood loss.

Sometimes if bleeding is severe, your healthcare provider would perform laparotomy- a procedure in which they incise your abdominal wall to look at the bleeding source. In some cases, your healthcare provider may remove your uterus- a condition called hysterectomy.

The Bottom Line

Postpartum haemorrhage is a serious health condition. You can not take it lightly. If you have a complaint of severe vaginal bleeding after childbirth, you must contact a healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can visit a gynecologist in karachi.