WHAT IS POSTPARTUM HAEMORRHAGE?
Postpartum bleeding or postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is often defined as the loss of more than 500 ml (at vaginal birth) or 1,000 ml (at caesarean section) of blood within the first 24 hours following childbirth.
Excessive bleeding after childbirth, usually known as PPH is a leading cause of maternal death world-wide. About 14 million mothers develop PPH each year and about 2% of them will die, with an average interval from onset to death of 2 to 4 hours. Obstetric haemorrhage is also an important cause of maternal mortality in high income countries where it accounts for about 13% of maternal deaths.
The WOMAN trial is studying the effect of early administration of tranexamic acid, a blood clot stabiliser, on mortality due to PPH and other associated morbidities such as hysterectomy, surgical interventions, blood transfusion, risk of non-fatal vascular events, in women with clinically diagnosed postpartum haemorrhage.