Postpartum hemorrhage


Postpartum Hemorrhage Etiology
The causes of postpartum hemorrhage can be broadly summarized into four main factors: 1) Inadequate uterine contraction. 2) Lacerations in the soft birth canal. 3) Placental factors. 4) Coagulation dysfunction. The most common cause in clinical settings is inadequate uterine contraction. The manifestation of inadequate uterine contraction primarily appears as the placenta and membranes being expelled intact postpartum, no injuries in the soft birth canal, and an unclear uterine contour upon palpation. The uterus becomes firm when massaged and softens when the massage stops. This condition is indicative of postpartum hemorrhage caused by inadequate uterine contraction. Postpartum hemorrhage due to lacerations in the soft birth canal typically presents as immediate bleeding following the delivery of the baby. The blood is bright red and may contain clots, which mostly suggests lacerations in the soft birth canal. If significant bleeding occurs about five to ten minutes after the delivery of the placenta and baby, this is generally considered to be related to placental factors. If the bleeding is unclotted and continuous, this severe hemorrhage might be due to a coagulation dysfunction.


Can I eat donkey-hide gelatin after severe postpartum hemorrhage?
During the entire process of postpartum hemorrhage, it is still necessary to promptly understand the specific causes of the postpartum hemorrhage in order to treat the condition accordingly. Normally, after a major postpartum hemorrhage, it is first necessary to promptly ascertain the specific value of hemoglobin. If the hemoglobin is low, causing severe anemia, it is also recommended to promptly supplement with red blood cells or plasma to improve the blood condition of the body. During major postpartum hemorrhage, oral administration of donkey-hide gelatin can also have a very good regulatory effect on the body, achieving the effect of replenishing qi and blood.


How long will it take for postpartum anal fissure bleeding to heal?
Generally, anal fissures that occur postpartum may heal on their own within about a week. For more severe cases, timely surgical treatment is necessary. The specific recovery time also depends on the physical condition of the mother, such as nutritional status, diet, and everyday habits—whether her diet is balanced, whether she drinks enough water, etc., all of which can affect the recovery and progression of the condition. If postpartum women improve their diet by eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, drinking more soups, and developing regular bowel habits to alleviate constipation, the anal fissures can also improve on their own.


Is postpartum hemorrhage dangerous?
Postpartum hemorrhage refers to bleeding exceeding 500 milliliters within a short period after childbirth, or bleeding exceeding 1000 milliliters within 24 hours after childbirth. Postpartum hemorrhage is relatively dangerous because a large amount of bleeding in a short period of time after childbirth can cause the mother to experience hemorrhagic shock, and in severe cases, can lead to maternal death. Postpartum hemorrhage is currently the leading risk factor for maternal mortality. With increased understanding of the disease and improved treatment levels, the majority of postpartum hemorrhages can be managed successfully. The treatment of postpartum hemorrhage primarily involves early detection and early intervention. If symptoms of significant bleeding occur, it is essential to carefully identify the cause of the bleeding and provide targeted treatment. This can control the condition early and prevent worsening.


Does postpartum breastfeeding cause bleeding?
Bleeding caused by postpartum breastfeeding generally occurs within 42 days after delivery, during which the mother has lochia secretion. Breastfeeding promotes the secretion of oxytocin, which acts on the uterus and causes it to contract, facilitating the expulsion of lochia and aiding in the recovery of the uterus. Typically, by 42 days postpartum, the uterus has returned to its non-pregnant size and the expulsion of lochia is essentially complete. Subsequent breastfeeding is not directly related to vaginal bleeding. Another situation is due to the increase in prolactin during lactation; menstrual periods may not have fully resumed in women who are breastfeeding, and abnormal uterine bleeding may occur. As long as the amount and duration of bleeding do not exceed normal menstrual flow, no special treatment is needed.


Postpartum hemorrhage causes
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) has four primary causes: 1. Lacerations from difficult labor; 2. Placental factors; 3. Uterine atony; 4. Coagulopathy. Immediately after childbirth, if there is bright red bleeding that includes blood clots, this is considered to be caused by soft birth canal lacerations. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes after delivery of the fetus, if significant bleeding occurs, placental factors should be considered. After the placenta is delivered, if the placenta and membranes are found to be intact and there is still vaginal bleeding, or if there is intermittent heavy vaginal bleeding, and the uterus feels soft and poorly defined upon light palpation, uterine atony should be considered as a likely cause of the heavy bleeding. Lastly, coagulopathy, which leads to continuous, dark red bleeding without clots, can also cause severe postpartum hemorrhage.


Postpartum constipation and bleeding from the anus what's going on?
When constipation occurs after childbirth and there is anal bleeding, it may be due to fissures caused by constipation or hemorrhoids causing blood vessel rupture and bleeding. Postpartum, due to the reduced activity of the mother and the consumption of too refined foods, waste cannot be smoothly expelled, leading to difficulty in defecation due to fecal impaction. During straining, this might cause rupture of the anus or fissures, or lead to hemorrhoids by disrupting local blood circulation. It is advisable to go to the hospital for a check-up to see if it is serious, and if necessary, treatment to stop the bleeding may be required.


What are the causes of postpartum hemorrhage?
Under normal circumstances, postpartum hemorrhage is one of the most severe complications that can occur during childbirth. Postpartum hemorrhage can be caused by several reasons: The first is mainly due to uterine atony leading to bleeding, which is relatively common and generally requires the administration of potent oxytocics to promote uterine contraction; The second is mainly due to local tears in the vagina or cervix leading to bleeding; The third is primarily caused by issues such as placental adhesion or implantation; The fourth is due to disorders in the body's coagulation function, leading to uncontrolled bleeding.


Symptoms of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of death in pregnant women. The symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage include the following aspects: First, it initially presents as significant vaginal bleeding, where the bleeding may exceed 500 milliliters in a short period or 800-1000 milliliters within 24 hours, predominantly featuring fresh blood. Second, there can be abdominal pain or other symptoms caused by the underlying etiology, such as postpartum hemorrhage due to soft birth canal injuries, which can manifest as tears in the vagina or cervix. Third, there can be signs of shock, such as confusion, lowered blood pressure, and an increased heart rate, all of which are symptoms used to diagnose postpartum hemorrhage.


How many days of postpartum bleeding are normal?
Postpartum hemorrhage typically stops around three weeks. Lochia can be classified into bloody lochia, serous lochia, and white lochia. Another type is abnormal bleeding, which is pathological bleeding. It occurs postpartum, for instance, due to soft birth canal injuries, cervical lacerations, uterine atony, or pre-existing blood disorders, which may extend the bleeding duration even beyond a month. This abnormal condition requires prompt medical attention. Normal lochia during the initial three to four days is bloody. As the bleeding from the uterus gradually decreases, it transitions to serous lochia, which can last about ten days. Finally, it becomes white lochia, which clears up after about three weeks.