Case Scenario for the Postpartum Hemorrhage Drill
Participant Version
Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Matter of Patient Safety
Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care
Initial description of the patient
A 37-year-old black female P7007 at term admitted in early labor. Her prenatal course was
significant for gestational diabetes controlled with diet. The patient’s past obstetrical history was
significant for a progressive increase in the size of her children at birth, with her last child
weighing 9# 3 oz. Her past medical history was significant only for a strong family history of
diabetes mellitus.
On admission, the patient’s cervical exam was 4/C/VTX/-1/AROM with clear fluid. Her
contractions decreased in intensity and frequency after AROM. A Pitocin® augmentation was
begun and the patient quickly progressed to C/C/VTX/+1. She delivered a 10# 2 oz baby with a
moderate shoulder dystocia that was treated effectively with the McRobert’s maneuver and
suprapubic pressure after a left mediolateral episiotomy. The placenta delivered spontaneously
without difficulty. [discussion]
Please read Scenario A.
Scenario A:
The patient had persistent bleeding during the episiotomy repair that responded to fundal massage
and intravenous Pitocin® drip. The placenta was examined by the attending physician and was
noted to be complete. An inspection was also made for cervical and vaginal lacerations. Neither
was found. On initial postpartum evaluation by the nurse, the patient had heavy bleeding with
clots and a boggy, flaccid uterus. [discussion]
Please continue reading:
The patient was given IM methylergonovine, but continued with a persistently atonic uterus. A
type and screen was confirmed and the patient was given 0.25 mg 15-methyl prostaglandin F2-_
IM (carboprost). Her uterus began to firm and the bleeding decreased significantly. No further
bleeding ensued and the patient was transferred to the postpartum unit without incident.
[discussion]
Now we will proceed with the same patient, but with a different scenario. Please
read through Scenario B.
Scenario B:
The patient had persistent bleeding during the episiotomy repair. The attending physician left
after the episiotomy repair with instructions to the postpartum nurse to continue the IV oxytocin
drip and to give methylergonovine if the bleeding persisted. No inspection of the cervix and
vagina was performed prior to repair of the episiotomy. The placenta was not examined. The
patient continued to bleed heavily despite the methylergonovine. The nurse called the attending
physician, but there was no response. Despite aggressive fundal massage by the postpartum nurse,
the bleeding persisted. The patient had an episode of hypotension and the attending physician was
re-called. [discussion]