Responding to Postpartum Hemorrhage Emergencies

123 - Postpartum Emergencies

Originally, the puerperium was defined as the period of confinement during and just after birth; it is now generally accepted to mean the 6 weeks after delivery. The puerperium has also been referred to as “the fourth trimester.” This period is marked by multiple physiologic changes (Table 123.1) as the woman returns to the prepregnant state, including healing physically from any trauma during ...

Postpartum Hemorrhage Causes Maternal Mortality

Postpartum hemorrhage.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the most important single cause of maternal death in both developing and developed countries. It arises from abnormalities in one of four basic processes, with uterine atony being the most common. A multidisciplinary approach to management is important. The value of oxytocin and prostaglandins, including misoprostol, in treatment is discussed. Recently developed, ...

Responding to Emergencies: Lessons Learned and the Need for Analysis

Large-scale emergency incidents, such as acts of terrorism, human-caused accidents, and acts of nature, often overwhelm local first-responder resources. A historical review of five recent major emergencies—the Oklahoma City bombing (1995), the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 (1989), the sarin attack in the Tokyo subway (1995), Hurricane Floyd (1999), and Hurricane Charlie (2004)—shows the n...

Postpartum Hemorrhage - a Review

POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE – A REVIEW (Abstract): Postpartum hemorrhage has been defined as either a 10% change in hematocrit between admission and postpartum period or a need of erythrocyte transfusion. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage is 3.9% for vaginal deliveries and 6.4% for cesarean delivery. Clinically the blood loss is often underestimated by as much as 30% 50% resulting in a delay in ...