The joy you feel after your baby comes into this world cannot be expressed in words, right? But along with this joy, we need to be aware of the changes in your body as a mother. It is normal to bleed to some extent after having a baby . But if that bleeding increases to an uncontrollable extent, it can be a dangerous situation. One of the main complications that can occur at such a time is Uterine Atony. Let's talk about this today, without fear, simply.
What is Uterine Atony?
Simply put, throughout your pregnancy, which is 9 months, your baby gets all the nutrition and oxygen it needs through the blood vessels in your uterus. After the baby is born, when the placenta is delivered, these blood vessels open up.
What normally happens is that as soon as the baby is born, the muscles in the uterus contract strongly, closing off these open blood vessels and stopping the bleeding. Think of it like squeezing a water pipe with your hand and the water stops flowing.
However, in a condition called Uterine Atony , the muscles of the uterus do not contract as expected. They become loose and "lazy" (that's what atony is). Then, those open blood vessels start to bleed uncontrollably.
This can happen during a vaginal birth or a cesarean section. It can also happen after a miscarriage. You should remember that this is a very serious condition that requires emergency medical treatment .
What are the factors that increase the risk of this condition?
This condition does not occur in everyone. However, some people may be at a slightly higher risk due to certain factors. That is why your doctor is always aware of these risk factors.
| Risk Factor | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| A long and difficult labor | The muscles of the uterus can become tired after a long period of labor and the difficult birth of a baby. |
| Excessive uterine contractions | If the baby weighs a lot (e.g., more than 4 kg), if it is a twin, or if there is a lot of amniotic fluid (water) in the uterus (polyhydramnios), the uterus may be overstretched. |
| Artificially creating a flower | When a baby is born by giving a medicine like oxytocin and inducing labor for a long time. |
| Fibroids | Fibroids in the uterus can prevent the uterus from contracting properly. |
| Infectious conditions | Infection of the membranes surrounding the baby (chorioamnionitis). |
| Obesity | Being overweight is also a risk factor. |
What are the symptoms of this?
The main and most dangerous symptom of this condition is uncontrollable excessive bleeding after childbirth ( Postpartum Hemorrhage ) .
Although it is normal to bleed a little after giving birth, if you feel that the bleeding is excessive, or if the pad you are using is completely soaked within a short period of time, such as an hour, or if you are passing large blood clots, never assume that it is normal. Inform your doctor or nursing staff immediately.
When excessive blood is released from the body, other symptoms may also appear.
- Low blood pressure (Hypotension)
- Increased heart rate
- Body becomes cold and pale
- Feeling dizzy, eyes turning blue
- Decreased urine output
- Loss of consciousness in the most severe cases
How does the doctor recognize this?
Your doctor will mainly diagnose this condition by examining the uterus.
After a normal delivery, the doctor will place his or her hand on your abdomen and examine your uterus. If you had a cesarean section, this examination is done at the end of the operation. Normally, after delivery, your uterus should have shrunk and feel as hard as a rock . However, in cases of uterine atony, the uterus is very large and feels soft to the touch.
The doctor will also check to see if there are other causes for this excessive bleeding. For example:
- Are there any injuries or tears to the cervix or vagina?
- Are parts of the placenta still left in the uterus (retained placenta)?
The doctor confirms the condition of uterine atony after examining all of these.
What are the treatments for this?
This is an emergency, so treatment should begin immediately. The main goal is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you will be given saline to replace the lost fluids in your body, and oxygen if necessary. If there is a lot of blood loss, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
There are several treatment methods.
| Treatment method | What happens to it? |
|---|---|
| Medical Treatment | |
| Oxytocin (Pitocin) | A hormone that helps the uterus contract. This is given intravenously with saline. |
| Other medications (e.g. Methylergonovine, Prostaglandins) | These are medications that are given to make the uterus contract more strongly. Some are given as injections, while others are given as pills that are inserted into the vagina or rectum. |
| Surgical & Other Procedures | |
| Uterine Packing/Balloon | A special gauze roll or balloon is placed inside the uterus, which clamps the blood vessels from the inside and stops the bleeding. |
| Uterine Artery Ligation | This is a minor surgery. The main blood vessel that supplies blood to the uterus is tied off, stopping the bleeding. |
| Hysterectomy | If nothing else can stop the bleeding, as a last resort , your uterus may need to be completely removed to save your life. This is a major operation. |
Hysterectomy is only performed in life-saving cases where there is no other option, so don't be afraid of it.
Take-Home Message
- Uterine atony is a condition in which the uterine muscles do not contract properly after childbirth, resulting in excessive bleeding. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
- If you have any suspicion that you are bleeding excessively after giving birth (the pad gets wet quickly, large blood clots are passing), tell your doctor or nurse right away. Don't put it off.
- Although there are several risk factors for this condition, it can occur in anyone, so it is very important to deliver in a hospital with trained staff.
- There are very effective treatments for this. Doctors use a variety of methods, from medications to surgery, to stop the bleeding.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about your body, both before and after giving birth.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment