The Lived Experience of Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Phenomenological Study

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the fourth leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. Although there is extensive evidence on best practices for the clinical management of PPH, no previous US studies have described the experience of individuals who lived it.

Guided by a feminist theoretical framework and using a qualitative phenomenological research design, we explored the lived experiences of individuals with a PPH after childbirth within the context of the US health care system. The study was conducted in the Northeastern United States at one urban tertiary care hospital that has greater than 5000 births annually. Individuals who had a blood loss greater than 1000 mL were invited to participate. Semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed according to the method of van Manen. Themes were identified using the 6 phases of inductive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke.

Ten individuals participated in the study. Five themes were identified, including (1) lack of clinician communication, (2) traumatic birth experiences, (3) need for immediate emotional support, (4) extended postpartum needs and impact on future pregnancies, and (5) effective teamwork.

The impact of PPH extends well beyond the acute clinical event, encompassing a complex array of physical, emotional, informational, and mental health needs. The findings underscore the critical importance of clear communication and ongoing emotional support for individuals who experience PPH. Addressing these multidimensional needs requires a coordinated response from health care systems, clinicians, and policymakers, with comprehensive postpartum care positioned as a priority in maternal health services.