Postpartum hemorrhage refers to excessive bleeding following childbirth.

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on June 29, 2025
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Postpartum hemorrhage refers to vaginal bleeding exceeding 500ml shortly after childbirth, or vaginal bleeding exceeding 1000ml within 24 hours after childbirth. Postpartum hemorrhage is a critical situation in clinical practice and is the leading cause of maternal death. For postpartum hemorrhage, it is essential first to identify the cause. Common causes of postpartum hemorrhage include uterine atony, retained placenta or membranes, trauma to the birth canal, and coagulopathy. In cases of postpartum hemorrhage, treatment should start with addressing the cause, such as using drugs that promote uterine contraction, massaging the uterus, and paying attention to cleaning the uterus and suturing any tears. Simultaneous symptomatic treatment should also be administered, which involves the transfusion of blood products to improve circulating blood volume and prevent the onset of hemorrhagic shock.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What to eat for postpartum hemorrhage

Generally, postpartum hemorrhage is a very serious and common complication during the childbirth process. Depending on the type of postpartum hemorrhage, the general treatment methods and diet can differ significantly. The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage is often attributed to insufficient uterine contractions, which increase the likelihood of bleeding. In such cases, once significant bleeding is confirmed, it is necessary to promptly administer oxytocin to facilitate uterine contraction and effectively reduce the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage. Regarding diet, there are no specific considerations; a light, nutritious diet should be maintained, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods, and close monitoring of vaginal bleeding is also necessary.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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.

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Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
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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.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Postpartum hemorrhage uterine suturing method

If postpartum hemorrhage occurs, it is foremost important to actively seek the specific causes of the bleeding to achieve timely and rapid hemostasis. It is also necessary to quickly replenish blood volume to prevent shock and infection. Meanwhile, if there is localized bleeding, active local suturing treatment should be pursued to control the bleeding. Normally, if the postpartum bleeding is light, suturing the uterus in the conventional way will suffice. However, if the bleeding is caused by uterine atony or similar reasons and oxytocics are ineffective, procedures like ascending ligation of the uterine arteries or uterine compression sutures and binding can be performed to effectively stop the bleeding.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can postpartum hemorrhage be treated?

Postpartum hemorrhage refers to bleeding exceeding 800 or 1000 milliliters within a short period after childbirth. It is currently the leading cause of maternal mortality in clinical practice. With the improvement of clinical treatment levels and the enhancement of diagnostic capabilities for postpartum hemorrhage, the vast majority of such cases can be well-managed. The keys to addressing postpartum hemorrhage effectively are early diagnosis and early intervention, which can lead to favorable outcomes. The main causes of postpartum hemorrhage include uterine atony, retained placenta and membranes, injuries to the soft birth canal, and coagulation disorders. When significant postpartum bleeding occurs, it is crucial to carefully investigate these four aspects to identify the cause and intervene accordingly, often leading to successful treatment outcomes.