Class 8: Postpartum Hemorrhage Flashcards
what estimated blood loss (EBL) from a vaginal delivery indicates PPH
- EBL >500 mL
what EBL from a c-section indicates PPH
- EBL >1000mL
PPH is classified with respect to?
- respect to time of birth
what is considered early/primary/acute bleeding?
- within 24 h of delivery = most dangerous time for potential PPH
what is considered late/secondary PPH?
- between 24h and 6 weeks postpartum
due to the timing of late/secondary PPH, what is important?
- education since the pt will be at home
late/secondary PPH is usually due to
- subinvolution
what is considered PPH
- ANY blood loss that has the potential to cause hemodynamic instability
what is the leading cause of death globally
- PPH
PPH is an…
- obstetrical emergency
how preventable is PPH?
- highly preventable
describe the identification of PPH
- can go unrecognizable for awhile d/t compensatory mechanisms–> until there are serious symptoms
addressing PPH is facilitated by…
- an interprofessional team approach
what are the 4 main causes of PPH?
- Tone
- Tissue
- Trauma
- Thrombin
what is included under the Tone cause of PPH
- uterine atony
what is included under the Tissue cause of PPH (4)
- retained placental fragments
- placenta accrete/increta/percreta
- placental abruption
- placenta previa
what is included under the trauma cause of PPH (7)
- uterine inversion
- uterine rupture
- lacerations of birth canal
- hematoma
- episiotomy
- trauma during labor & birth (forceps & vacuum assisted birth)
- manual removal of retained placenta
what increases the risk of uterine rupture
- c-section
- VBAC
what is included under the thrombin cause of PPH
- coagulopathies
what can be done to prevent PPH (7)
- be prepared –> know risk factors and communicate them to the team
- active mngmt of 3rd stage of labor
- uterine massage (correct process)
- uterotonics as ordered
- careful inspection of placenta (ensure no pieces missing)
- prevent a full bladder
- close observation of birther
what is included in active mngmt of 3rd stage of labor to help prevent PPH (4)
- admin oxytocin w birth of anterior shoulder
- gentle cord traction (do not be too aggressive)
- consider delayed cord clamping (to allow newborn to get as much blood as possible)
- fundal massage after delivery
birth of the placenta that lasts ____ increases the risk of placenta
> 30 min
fundal massage is done until? why is it important to only do it until then?
- fundus firm, no more than that
- to prevent uterus from becoming too tired
what is uterine atony
- defined as hypotonia or relaxation of the uterus