Blood loss during Caesarean section under general anaesthesia.

Blood loss during Caesarean section has been measured in 121 patients using a haemoglobin dilution method. The results have been analyzed in an attempt to determine the importance on blood loss of age, parity, previous Caesarean section, placental site, size of baby, length of operation, and surgical experience. The only statistically significant factors increasing blood loss were (a) multipara undergoing their first Caesarean section (particularly emergency section) and (b) a low anterior placenta. Heavy blood loss, especially in patients with a low haemoglobin, was associated with an increased incidence of postoperative pyrexia.