Emergent obstetric management of postpartum hemorrhage

Early PPH remains a significant problem in obstetrics with serious maternal morbidity and mortality. Many patients at risk for PPH can be antenatally identified. Such identification allows these patients delivery at medical facilities where personnel, blood banking, laboratory, and radiographic expertise exist to expeditiously manage PPH. Even so, some patients without antecedent risk factors suffer PPH. This discussion provides a practical approach to establish an accurate diagnosis of PPH and an expeditious application of medical, surgical, and radiographic management. It is the responsibility of every obstetric health care provider to maintain proficiency in the diagnosis and management of PPH to reduce its incidence and associated morbidity and mortality to an unpreventable minimum.