Becoming a mother is one of the greatest joys of life. Along with that beautiful experience, it is also very important for us to be aware of some of the health problems that can arise after having a baby. Because then we can face them correctly without panicking. Today we are talking about such a serious, but somewhat rare condition as postpartum hemorrhage, or Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) . This usually occurs within the first 24 hours of having a baby, but sometimes it can occur up to 12 weeks.
How does this really happen?
Let's put it simply. When you are pregnant, a special organ called the placenta develops inside your uterus. This is what provides the baby with the oxygen and nutrients it needs. After the baby is born, your uterus contracts even more and expels the placenta. This contraction is very important. Because it helps to stop the bleeding by tightening the blood vessels where the placenta was attached to the uterus.
Imagine, what happens if for some reason these contractions are not strong enough? Those blood vessels start to bleed. Sometimes, if small pieces of the placenta remain inside the uterus, that can also cause heavy bleeding. If the placenta does not come out within 30 minutes of delivery, we call it "Retained Placenta". This can also cause heavy bleeding and serious infections.
If you have any questions or concerns about the placenta, never be afraid to talk to your doctor about it during your pregnancy.
What are the main symptoms of this?
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) does not affect every woman in the same way. However, there are some common symptoms that are important to be aware of.
| Symptom | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Uncontrollable heavy bleeding | This is the main and most obvious symptom. If you are bleeding more than normal, you should be concerned. |
| Decreased blood pressure | When a large amount of blood is lost from the body, blood pressure can drop suddenly. This can cause feelings of fainting and dizziness. |
| Increased heart rate | As if to compensate for the low blood pressure, the heart starts beating faster. |
| Decreased red blood cell count | Since a large number of red blood cells are excreted from the body with the blood, this can be detected in a blood test. |
| Swelling and pain in and around the vagina | Sometimes blood collects within the tissue (hematoma), causing pain and swelling. |
What are the possible reasons for this increased risk?
Some women are more likely to develop PPH than others. There are several factors that can contribute to this. If you have any of these conditions, it's a good idea to let your doctor know about them in advance.
- Placental problems:
- Placental abruption: The placenta detaches from the uterus before the baby is born.
- Placenta previa: Placenta is located lower in the uterus, near the cervix.
- Excessive stretching of the uterus: If you are carrying twins, if the baby weighs a lot, or if there is a lot of amniotic fluid in the uterus, the uterus may be excessively stretched.
- High blood pressure during pregnancy: Conditions like gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
- Having had multiple previous births.
- Childbirth taking longer than normal.
- Certain infectious conditions.
- Obesity.
- Use of medications to induce labor.
- Use of drugs to stop uterine contractions in premature births .
- Using devices such as vacuum or forceps during childbirth.
- Providing general anesthesia.
In addition, PPH can also be caused by a tear or cut in a blood vessel in the cervix, vaginal tissue, or uterus, blood clotting disorders, and other problems related to the placenta.
How do doctors treat this?
Although this is a serious situation, don't panic . In a hospital, doctors and nursing staff are trained to deal with this kind of situation. Their first and foremost goal is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. They use various treatments for this.
The doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for you based on factors such as your health history and the severity of your condition.
Several treatment methods:
- Giving medications: Medications are given to help the uterus contract.
- Uterine massage: The doctor massages the uterus from above the abdomen to help stop the bleeding and contract the uterus.
- Removal of placental fragments: The uterus is checked for any remaining pieces of placenta and removed.
- Examination of the uterus: Checks for any tears in the vagina or uterus.
- Uterine balloon tamponade: A special balloon called uterine balloon tamponade is placed inside the uterus and inflated to compress the blood vessels and stop the bleeding.
- Surgery: Sometimes minor surgery is needed to do things like tie off a blood vessel. Very rarely, if no other treatment can stop the bleeding, a hysterectomy may be performed as a last resort to save the mother's life.
Along with these treatments, it is also very important to replace lost blood and fluids. This is done quickly with saline (IV fluids) and, if necessary, blood transfusions.
Take-Home Message
- Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) is a serious condition, but it has quick and effective treatment . The most important thing is to recognize the symptoms early and seek hospital treatment.
- This is not your fault, so don't ever think about it and feel sad.
- If you suspect that you are bleeding excessively, whether in the hospital or at home, after giving birth, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) .
- Talk openly with your doctor throughout your pregnancy. It's important to be aware of your risk factors early on.
- If diagnosed and treated early, most mothers can make a full recovery.
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