Serious Postpartum Complications Women Can Face

Postpartum Hemorrhaging

Although bleeding following the delivery of a child is quite common for new moms, heavy bleeding that turns into hemorrhaging only affects two percent of all women, especially if their labor was long, they have had multiple births, or the uterus is infected. Hemorrhaging usually occurs because the uterus fails to contract properly after the woman delivers the placenta, or due to tears in the uterus, cervix, or vagina. If the uterus is not contracting, a midwife or doctor may massage the uterus to help it contract, or the doctor will administer oxytocin, a synthetic hormone, to stimulate contractions. The doctor or midwife should be closely monitoring the mother during this time to ensure the uterus contracts properly and to prevent infection. If hemorrhaging begins a week or two after delivery, it could be due to a piece of placenta still in the uterus, which will need to be surgically removed. When home, the patient should report any heavy bleeding to their doctor immediately.