eMedicine Specialties > Obstetrics and Gynecology > Obstetrical Complications

Postpartum Hemorrhage: Follow-up

Author: John R Smith, MD, FRSCS, FACOG,, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Diagnostic Imaging, Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, Ontario
Coauthor(s): Barbara G Brennan, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACOG,, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 24, 2009

Future and Controversies

Summary

PPH is a common complication of childbirth and a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Clinicians should identify risk factors before and during labor so that care may be optimized for high-risk women. However, significant life-threatening bleeding can occur in the absence of risk factors and without warning. All caregivers and facilities involved in maternity care must have a clear plan for the prevention and management of PPH. This includes sound resuscitation skills and familiarity with all medical and surgical therapies available.

 


More on Postpartum Hemorrhage

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Workup: Postpartum Hemorrhage
Treatment: Postpartum Hemorrhage
Follow-up: Postpartum Hemorrhage
Multimedia: Postpartum Hemorrhage
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

postpartum hemorrhage, PPH, postpartum bleeding, obstetrical hemorrhage, obstetric hemorrhage, uterine atony, atonic uterus, uterine myometrial fibers, 4 T's, 4 Ts, tone, tissue, thrombosis, maternal mortality, labor, labour, cesarian delivery, cesarian section, C-section, C section, caesarian section, caesarian delivery, uterine rupture, cervical laceration, episiotomy, oxytocin, labor induction, pregnancy complications, problem pregnancy, high-risk pregnancy, maternal morbidity, third-stage management, third stage of labor, management of third stage of labor, 3rd stage of labor, placenta previa, placenta accreta, pregnancy, parturition, birthing, delivery, fatty liver of pregnancy, intrauterine fetal demise, IUFD, amniotic fluid embolus, amniotic fluid emboli, septicemia in pregnancy

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

John R Smith, MD, FRSCS, FACOG,, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Diagnostic Imaging, Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, Ontario
John R Smith, MD, FRSCS, FACOG, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Society of Obstetric Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Barbara G Brennan, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACOG,, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University
Barbara G Brennan, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACOG, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Canadian Medical Protective Association, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Ontario Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Society of Obstetric Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Michel E Rivlin, MD, Professor, Coordinator of Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Michel E Rivlin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, Mississippi State Medical Association, and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Frederick B Gaupp, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Family Practice, Hancock Medical Center
Frederick B Gaupp, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michel E Rivlin, MD, Professor, Coordinator of Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Michel E Rivlin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, Mississippi State Medical Association, and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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