Suspected abnormal adherence of placenta
• Arrange the back-up of another experienced obstetrician, gynaecologist, urologist or vascular surgeon
• Preoperative consultation with an interventional radiologist to determine the availability and feasibility of
embolisation should the need arise.
• Perioperative notification to the Women’s blood bank must occur
4.6 Management of PPH if placenta is not expelled
• Perform uterine massage to expel clots and repeat oxytocin e.g. oxytocin 10 units intravenous, or 10 units
intramuscular. Avoid ergometrine or Syntometrine® (this is a combination of oxytocin and ergometrine) for
retained placenta because it causes tonic uterine contraction, which may delay expulsion)
• Empty the bladder / catheterise
• Repeat controlled cord traction
• Insert IV access (16 gauge cannula)
• Perform portable ultrasound (if not already done) +/- vaginal examination to confirm if placenta has
separated (trapped) or still adhered. Remove placenta if trapped and remove any clots present.
4.7 With rapid PPH >1500 mL8
• Call for help – midwifery, obstetric and anaesthetic (MET call/ Pink Alert)
• Ensure the ‘massive transfusion’ box is brought to the room
• Stop the bleeding – e.g. vaginal examination to exclude causes other than atony, remove any clots
present, apply pressure to minimise bleeding
• Administer oxygen at 8-12 litres via re-breathing mask
• Intravenous access x 2 using 16 gauge cannulae
• Arrange urgent pathology testing for Blood Group and Antibody Screen, Full Blood Count (FBC),
Coagulation Screen (INR, APTT, fibrinogen)