What is Postpartum Hemorrhaging (Excessive Bleeding)?

by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH

What is postpartum hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding that usually involves large clots)? Not to worry, postpartum hemorrhaging does not happen too often.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for every 10, 000 women who gave birth in 2014, 45 had postpartum hemorrhaging. However, postpartum hemorrhaging is among the top three reasons for maternal fatality.

Top Three Things That Could Reduce the Risk of Hemorrhaging

– Recover 2 hours after delivery
– Breast Feeding immediately after birth
– Fundus massage
– Frequently emptying bladder which keeps the uterus tight