Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide, and accounts for nearly one-quarter of all maternal deaths (World Health Organization, 2012). Unfortunately, resulting in the most significant birth complications, and research has found that incidences are increasing (Ford, Shand, & Roberts, 2013). A major cause of PPH is uterine atony and the prolongation of third stage (Kashanian, Fekrat, Masoomi, & Ansari, 2010). Consequentially, active management of third stage of labour has been universally adopted in all Australian hospitals, as research indicates that active management reduces PPH (Fahy, 2009). However, in comparison research indicates that low-risk women who select to have physiological third stage, as oppose to an active management of third stage, are not at increased risk of PPH (Dixon, Fullerton, Begley, Kennedy, & Guilliland, 2011). This essay will further discuss that women with low risk are not at an increased risk of PPH. Additionally, it will examine PPH in more detail including incidences, risks, causes, and management of PPH.
PPH is define as bleeding from the genital tract of greater than or equal to 500ml within 24 hours after birth, also known as primary PPH, while a severe PPH is a blood loss of 1000ml or more (World Health Organization, 2012). A secondary PPH is blood loss between 24 hours and 6 weeks after birth (RANZCOG, 2016). Currently the incidences of PPH in Australia is between five to
PPH is define as bleeding from the genital tract of greater than or equal to 500ml within 24 hours after birth, also known as primary PPH, while a severe PPH is a blood loss of 1000ml or more (World Health Organization, 2012). A secondary PPH is blood loss between 24 hours and 6 weeks after birth (RANZCOG, 2016). Currently the incidences of PPH in Australia is between five to