Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 October 2026
This chapter includes significant literature underpinning the causes, initial and advanced management, investigation and aftercare required when a woman loses more than 500mL of blood at the time of birth. This common, but life-threatening, obstetric emergency is described including recent pivotal publications in the field. Key learning points: Understand prevention, causes and treatment of major postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Understand the effect of antenatal anaemia on PPH. Early recognition of PPH and prompt systematic management remain cornerstones of effective care. Always aim to measure or weigh, rather than estimate, blood loss, where possible. Prioritise early fluid resuscitation: intravenous fluid (and blood transfusion if required) should not be delayed because of false reassurance from a single haemoglobin result. Escalate to senior team members of the multi-professional team. Give tranexamic acid early, alongside uterotonics. Consider the use of cell salvage and point-of-care clotting assessment. Consider early hysterectomy, if medical and surgical interventions are ineffective. Document details of management and post PPH care accurately and clearly.
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.