2. Definitions
Primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is traditionally defined as blood loss greater than or equal to 500
mL, within 24 hours of delivery
.
Secondary PPH is defined as a blood loss of more than 500mL after 24hours and up to 6 weeks postpartum
.
A major PPH is defined as such when there is continued bleeding and failure to respond to first-line
management and cases where blood loss is approaching or exceeding 1000mL
.
DIC- Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Bakri balloon is a balloon tamponade indicated for women not responding to uterotonics and uterine massage.
It is used to control haemorrhage due to uterine atony in the upper segment of the uterus and to control bleeding
in the lower uterine segment secondary to placental implantation in the lower uterine segment. Please see
procedure ‘Postpartum Haemorrhage - Bakri Balloon Tamponade’ for more information.
Hypovolaemic shock is a life-threatening condition in which reduced circulatory volume results in inadequate
tissue perfusion. In the early phases of haemorrhage, the body compensates for blood loss by raising systemic
vascular resistance in order to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. Clinically, this corresponds
to a narrowing of the pulse pressure. As bleeding continues, however, further vasoconstriction is impossible,
resulting in decreased blood pressure, cardiac output, and end-organ perfusion. Compensatory homoeostatic