Hysterectomy is required in management of PPH in 1/1,000 deliveries
Radiologic embolization
FOLLOW-UP DISPOSITION Admission Criteria
All patients with immediate PPH require admission to a closely monitored setting
Early obstetrics consultation is recommended
Early surgical intervention is dependent on cause
ICU setting if DIC or evidence of hemodynamic compromise
Patients with endometritis should be admitted for parenteral antibiotics
Discharge Criteria
Delayed PPH that is easily controlled without excessive bleeding
Outpatient management with methylergonovine 0.2 mg PO every 6 hr may be considered in consultation and close follow-up with obstetrician
FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS
Close follow-up with obstetrician
Seek immediate care if bleeding recurs
PEARLS AND PITFALLS
Active over expectant management
Most deaths are due to delayed diagnosis and/or inadequate resuscitation with blood products
Uterotonics are the first line of treatment
Aggressive use of fluid and blood products for resuscitation
Manual exam is the preferred diagnostic approach
Immediate obstetric consult
ADDITIONAL READING
Cabero Roura L, Keith LG. Post-partum haemorrhage: Diagnosis, prevention and management. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med . 2009;22(suppl 2):38–45.
Hofmeyr GJ, Gülmezoglu AM. Misoprostol for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol . 2008;22:1025–1041.
Mercier FJ, Van de Velde M. Major obstetric hemorrhage. Anesthesiology Clin . 2008;26:53–66.
Mousa HA, Alfirevic Z. Treatment for primary postpartum haemorrhage. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2007;(1):CD003249.
Oyelese Y, Scorza WE, Mastrolia R, et al. Postpartum hemorrhage. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am . 2007;34:421–441.
Rath WH. Postpartum hemorrhage—update on problems of definitions and diagnosis. Acta Obstet Gyencol Scand. 2011;90:421–428.
Su CW. Postpartum hemorrhage. Prim Care . 2012;39:167–187.
Risk of PPE as high as 85–95% in high-risk nonelective C-section patient
Complications of PPE: All are more common after C-section:
Pelvic thrombophlebitis
Pelvic abscess
Bacteremia
Risk factors for PPE:
C-section
Prolonged labor
Prolonged rupture of membranes
Increased number of vaginal exams
Use of internal fetal monitoring
Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is a diagnosis of exclusion with 2 distinct clinical presentations, either of which may present with postpartum pulmonary embolus:
Acute thrombosis:
Most common in right ovarian vein
Usually occurs in 1st 48 hr as acute, progressive lower abdominal pain
Enigmatic fever: “Picket fence” spiking fevers and tachycardia
Septic abortion:
Uncommon in developing countries
Usually an ascending infection through an open cervical os
Associated with:
Nonsterile techniques, instruments
Retained products of conception
Mastitis:
Ranges from mild breast redness to fever, systemic illness, and abscess
Common (1–30% of postpartum patients)
Occurs within the 1st 3 mo postpartum
Peaks at 2–3 wk
Recurs in 4–8%
UTI/pyelonephritis:
Along with mastitis accounts for 80% of postpartum infections
ETIOLOGY
PPE:
Polymicrobial infection result of ascending spread from lower genital tract