Bleeding during and after childbirth: the professor listed the most common causes and potential risks



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– Why should anyone be able to think about donating blood and donating blood?

– If it weren’t for donor blood, this year we would have lost four mothers. Thanks to blood donors, we have been able to save them; This is probably the biggest motivation and answer to why donating blood is important. I invite everyone who can come to the Kaunas Blood Center Clinics and donate blood that can save many lives.

– What is the risk of postpartum bleeding and how much blood does a woman have to lose to endanger her life?

– According to scientific literature, the risk of postpartum bleeding can be 3 to 5%. Birth.

When giving birth by natural means, a woman loses up to half a liter of blood on average. During a cesarean section, the uterus usually loses up to 1 liter of blood. Excessive bleeding occurs when more than 1 liter or up to 1.5 liters of blood is lost. If a woman loses more than 1.5 liters of blood, it is already massive bleeding, changes in vital signs occur (pulse, blood pressure, vegetative reactions) and can endanger the life of the mother.

It is important to know that during pregnancy, a woman’s blood levels increase by approximately 30 percent. This protects the body if more blood is lost after delivery than average. A threat to a mother’s life arises when she loses more than 30 percent. circulating blood. For a woman of average body weight and weight, this is about 1.5 liters of blood.

– What are the possible causes of heavy and life-threatening bleeding?

– There are four causes of postpartum hemorrhage. One of the most common reasons is uterine tone, when the uterus does not contract after delivery. In this case, the response is very fast, since bleeding from an area the size of the placenta is a great threat to the life of a woman.

Another cause is the rupture of the birth canal (uterus, cervix, vagina, perineum) or bleeding at the incision site.

The third cause is irregular placental ablation or placental balance in the uterus. The rarest reason a woman may bleed is a blood clotting disorder. Doctors usually know about a woman’s blood clotting problem before giving birth and can prepare for it.

Kliučinskas Mindaugas

Kliučinskas Mindaugas

© DELFI / Karolina Pansevič

– What could be the risk factors?

– Bleeding usually begins when there are no risk factors.

We are pleased that the world literature and medical knowledge allow us to assess the risk of bleeding even during pregnancy. Some of the factors identified during pregnancy are: previous cesarean section, bleeding during previous deliveries, alterations of the placenta in the uterus or placental enlargement. One factor is uterine tension if you are expecting a very large fetus or have a lot of amniotic fluid. Multiple pregnancies are also among the factors that affect bleeding.

Another group of risk factors is identified during labor. For example, emergency cesarean section or other medical interventions, prolonged labor, or the use of astringent medications.

– Are there ways to reduce the chances of postpartum bleeding?

– Lithuania uses effective methods approved by international health organizations that can reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. During pregnancy, it is very important to know if a woman has anemia. If anemia is detected, appropriate treatment should be given to ensure that the woman has enough red blood cells in her blood during delivery and that the body is prepared for possible bleeding.

Preventive measures are also used during labor, such as three-stage active placental care. One of them, when a newborn is born, a woman is injected with oxytocin, which helps the uterus to contract faster and the entire placenta to divide at the same time. The second stage is when the umbilical cord stops beating, is gently squeezed, cut, and pulled under control to extract the detached placenta from the uterus more quickly. The last stage is a brief massage of the uterus through the abdominal wall to remove all traces of blood and clots.

Early breastfeeding is one of the preventive measures to reduce bleeding. Also, during the first two hours through the abdominal wall, the midwife periodically checks for uterine contractions. The most recent recommendation, when there is a very high risk of postpartum bleeding, is to prescribe a certain uterine astringent drug.

Birth

Birth

– Can the prescription of anticoagulants affect bleeding during and after delivery?

– There are situations where a woman’s body develops conditions that increase the risk of clotting, which can lead to the formation of clots, such as blood clots in the veins of the legs. In such situations, we must prescribe anticoagulants. However, at least 12 hours before delivery, we try to stop prescribing these medications and continue treatment for 12 hours after delivery.

– How long is it normal to bleed after delivery and when should you be anxious and go to the medical institution?

– Postpartum lasts 6 to 8 weeks. Saying how long bleeding is normal would be inaccurate because every woman’s body is different. However, bloody discharge is considered normal in the first week. Later, the bleeding should subside and a different type of uterine discharge should appear within 4-6 weeks. If the bloody discharge disappeared but reappeared after a while, you need to remember that you did not lift heavy objects and did not exert any more physical effort. A small amount of blood clots with blood (blood clots) is possible and should not be scary. However, if the bleeding has stopped and after a while the blood has started to leak or flow from the uterus, you should see your treating obstetrician or midwife.

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