What is Postpartum Hemorrhage?

Most women go through labor and delivery without very much of a problem. They may feel some pain and fatigue but all of this is overshadowed by the joy of the precious new life they have brought into the world. Sometimes however problems can occur after a baby is born. A condition referred to as postpartum hemorrhage occurs after a mother delivers and it does not always happen right away.

According to the University of Virginia Health System only about 4% of mothers will experience a postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth. Women who have a postpartum hemorrhage will start to bleed excessively and uncontrollably and may have a high heart rate, low blood pressure, and a low red blood cell count. If a postpartum hemorrhage is not treated right away it can lead to the death of the mother.

Causes of postpartum hemmorhage can vary. Sometimes upon the delivery of the placenta pieces are left inside of the uterus. If this happens the woman's body will continue to bleed. Other times there are placental problems that occur in pregnancy and cause problems after delivery. Women may also develop blood clotting disorders after delivery that cause their bodies not to be able to stop bleeding,

Treatment of postpartum hemorrhage depends on how severe the problem is. Doctors will try to stop the bleeding with the least invasive methods at first. Treatments can include medication, scraping remaining placental pieces from the uterus, packing the uterus with gauze, and if all else fails the uterus may have to be removed via a hysterectomy. Most women who are treated for a postpartum hemorrhage recover without any lasting effects.

After the delivery of my second child in November of 2008 I suffered a severe postpartum hemorrhage. My delivery was uncomplicated and my daughter was born strong and healthy. After delivery there was no signs of a problem. I had a few stitches put in, but I was not in any pain or discomfort. A couple of hours after delivery I was released from the labor and delivery unit and sent to my private room on the maternity floor.

Once I was taken up to my room my husband helped me shower and I changed into a pair of comfortable sweats that I brought from home. I was a little tired but other than that I felt pretty good. I even walked down to the nursery where they were bathing my daughter to see when I could have her brought to my room. It was eight hours after I delivered before I had any signs of a problem.

My husband was holding my daughter as I got up to go to the bathroom. When I stood up I experienced a gush that felt like my water was breaking again. My pants were covered with blood and I felt that more blood was coming out in spurts. I quickly called the nurse and as soon as she realized what was happening things moved quickly.

I was given a shot of a medication that was supposed to help stop the bleeding and my IV was opened wide so I was getting fluids faster. I was taken back down to the labor and delivery floor and wheeled into an operating room where my doctor was waiting. The last thing I remember is the nurse praying with me before I woke up in the recovery room.

My doctor came in after I woke up and told me he performed a D & C (scraped my uterus) and found some pieces of placenta that were left behind. He said this helped to slow the bleeding but did not stop it. He told me at this point he went out to my husband to ask for his consent to remove my uterus if the bleeding could not be stopped. My husband agreed as we had talked about what I would want if something like this were to happen. I would happily part with my uterus before I would leave my toddler son and baby girl motherless.

Before performing a hysterectomy my doctor tried packing my uterus with gauze and this thankfully worked. The pressure of the gauze combined with an IV of Pitocin to help my uterus contract was enough to stop the bleeding. My uterus was saved as well as my life.

After the surgery I was on a liquid diet for 24 hours just in case I had to go to surgery again. I was released two days later than anticipated but given that I was weak due to blood loss I appreciated the extra rest. I was nervous when my packing was removed and relieved when there were no signs of my uterus bleeding again. I was put on strong IV antibiotics for most of my hospital stay to help prevent any infection.

Postpartum hemorrhage can happen to anyone regardless of how easy a pregnancy, labor, and delivery they have. I am proof of that. My husband and I want to have another child in the future and my doctor says this should not be a problem, though he recommends we wait at least two years before getting pregnant again. I am at a slight risk of hemorrhaging again as it has happened once. This means that certain precautions will be taken if I have another child and I will be kept under close observation for at least 24 hours. Postpartum hemorrhage is a frightening experience and one that women should be prepared for just in case.