Postpartum hemorrhage symptoms are a sign that you may have a condition called postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). This can be a very serious and life-threatening complication of childbirth.
Symptoms of PPH include heavy bleeding, decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. Getting help quickly is critical to saving your life.
If you’re losing too much blood, your medical team can use a catheter and intravenous fluids and medications to stop the bleeding. In rare cases, they might need to give you a blood transfusion.
Your doctor can tell if you have postpartum hemorrhage by checking your blood and examining you closely. They’ll also look at your uterus and other parts of your body to find the cause of the bleeding.
They might take a sample of your blood and measure the amount of blood that has collected in a small container. They can also use an ultrasound machine to see what’s happening in your uterus and other organs.
The most common type of bleeding after childbirth is called primary postpartum hemorrhage. It typically occurs within the first 24 hours after delivery.
About 4% of women have PPH and it’s more common with a Cesarean birth. About 2 to 3 percent of women who have a vaginal birth also have it.
During labor, the contractions that bring the placenta out of your womb can cause some bleeding in your uterus. These contractions help to compress the blood vessels where the placenta was attached to your uterine wall.
But sometimes your uterus can’t tighten enough to stop the bleeding, which is called uterine atony. This can happen if the baby’s head is too large, your placenta is stuck to your uterus, or if there’s an infection in your uterus.
Your provider might do a manual uterine massage to stop the bleeding, remove any clots, and check your uterus for retained placenta. They can also put special lubricant on your uterus to help it contract and stop the bleeding.
If your blood doesn’t stop clotting, your provider might try a procedure called uterine artery embolization. This is a procedure that uses X-ray guidance to inject small particles into the arteries in your uterus.
Surgical methods are also used to treat PPH, such as inserting a tube (catheter) in your uterus or removing part of your placenta. In some cases, your provider might need to remove a small piece of your uterus to stop the bleeding (hysterectomy).
Some of these treatments can also be effective for late or secondary PPH. This is when bleeding occurs between 24 hours and 12 weeks after childbirth.
These procedures usually are done under X-ray guidance and can stop the bleeding in most cases. They may also be used if the bleeding isn’t stopping or your vital signs aren’t stable.
The goal of treatment is to stop the bleeding and make you feel better. You’ll be given IV (intravenous) fluids and medication, a catheter, and oxygen. Your doctor might also need to do tests to see if you’re anemic or have other health problems that can cause you to lose more blood.
