Postpartum haemorrhage

This is a relatively rare problem, occurring in just 5 percent of labours. Postpartum haemorrhage is a loss of more than 500ml of blood during the postpartum period; caesarean births often have a greater blood loss of around 800-1000 ml.

Possible causes and risk factors for postpartum haemorrhage include:

• Having a larger than average baby
• Having more than one baby
• Having a long labour
• Taking magnesium sulphate medication
• Placenta previa
• Uterine atony (this occurs when the uterus is not contracting forcefully enough to stop the bleeding at the placenta)
• Blood clotting disorders
• Uterine rupture
• Cervical laceration or tear

In order to manage haemorrhages, doctors and midwives will be on hand after the birth; in some cases, they may give medication, oxygen or uterine massage to stem the bleeding. In some rare cases, surgery may be recommended.

Possible complications in childbirth:

• Possible complications in childbirth
• Premature Labour
• Causes of Premature Labour
• What Should I do if I go into Premature Labour?
• What will happen at the hospital if I am giving birth prematurely?
• What happens after my baby is born?

• Where can I find Support for Premature babies?
• Problems with the umbilical cord
• Foetal distress
• Problems with the placenta
• Postpartum haemorrhage
• The Neonatal Unit