AI Insight
Postpartum haemorrhage affects 13% of women with vaginal births and 31% with caesarean births, making it a common obstetric complication. Visual estimation of blood loss fails to detect 52% of PPH cases at vaginal birth, with a pooled sensitivity of only 48%. International guidelines now recommend objective quantification methods, such as calibrated blood collection drapes, to improve early and accurate diagnosis.
Why it matters
Missed or delayed PPH diagnosis can lead to severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Implementing objective blood loss measurement tools in delivery settings could significantly improve detection rates and enable timely intervention, potentially saving lives in both resource-rich and resource-limited settings.
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is common, affecting an estimated 13% of women having vaginal birth and 31% of women having caesarean birth. Successful management of PPH requires early and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. A systematic review found that subjective visual estimation of blood loss misses 52% of PPH diagnoses at vaginal birth (pooled sensitivity 48%, 95% CI 44–53), and probably more at caesarean birth. The WHO–International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics–International Confederation of Midwives consolidated guidelines on PPH therefore recommend objective quantification of blood loss with products such as a calibrated blood collection drape.
Source: [Series] Diagnosis and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage: a race against time