Maternal hemorrhage

Maternal Hemorrhage is a severe medical condition that occurs in pregnant women, typically during or after childbirth. It is characterized by excessive bleeding and can lead to serious health complications if not promptly addressed.

Definition

Maternal Hemorrhage is defined as a cumulative blood loss of greater than or equal to 1000 ml or bleeding accompanied by signs or symptoms of hypovolemia within 24 hours after the birth process. This includes intrapartum and postpartum loss.

Causes

The primary causes of Maternal Hemorrhage are known as the "Four T's": Tone, Tissue, Trauma, and Thrombin.

• Tone: This refers to uterine atony, or the inability of the uterus to contract and control bleeding after childbirth. It is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
• Tissue: This refers to the retention of placental tissue, which can prevent the uterus from contracting properly.
• Trauma: This includes any physical injury to the uterus, cervix, vagina, or perineum during childbirth.
• Thrombin: This refers to coagulopathy, a condition that prevents blood from clotting normally.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Maternal Hemorrhage may include uncontrolled bleeding, drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate, decrease in red blood cell count, and pale skin.

Treatment

Treatment for Maternal Hemorrhage may involve a combination of medication, surgery, and other interventions. The specific treatment plan will depend on the cause and severity of the bleeding.

Prevention

Prevention strategies for Maternal Hemorrhage include active management of the third stage of labor, which involves administering a uterotonic drug immediately after birth, early cord clamping, and controlled cord traction.

See Also

• Postpartum Hemorrhage
• Uterine Atony
• Coagulopathy

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