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Objective: To reconfirm that a low-lying placenta, with placental edge-internal os distance of 0-4 cm, is a risk factor for blood loss during delivery, and to determine whether blood loss differs between edge-os distance of < or =2 cm vs. >2 cm., Methods: We compared total blood loss between 73 singleton pregnant women with edge-os distance of 0-4.0 cm vs. controls. We also compared total blood loss between pregnant women with distance of 0-2.0 cm (lower) vs. 2.1-4.0 cm (higher)., Results: Total blood loss was significantly greater in women with placental edge-os distance of < or =4 cm than controls in both delivery modes. The lower group showed a significantly higher incidence of excessive hemorrhage during vaginal delivery (60 vs. 19%, P=0.046) and bled more (median 1240 vs. 860 mL, P=0.059) than the higher group. Although this did not reach statistical significance, the lower group more frequently bled antepartum, required emergent cesarean section, and delivered abdominally. Regression analysis showed no association between the amount of blood loss and the edge-os distance in both delivery modes., Conclusion: Pregnant women with edge-os distance of 2.1-4.0 cm are of highest level of concern as are women with 0-2.0 cm distance.

Ligation of the hypogastric arteries (HAL) was first introduced into surgery by the end of the 19(th) century to control intractable hemorrhage from the uterus of women with advanced cervical cancer. At present, HAL is one in a spectrum of operative methods to control life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage before hysterectomy. Bilateral ligation of the internal iliac artery does not result in complete blockage of but to a significant decrease in blood supply to the female pelvic organs. Soon after ligation three previously existent collateral circulations will develop. Due to the smaller caliber of these arteries, the arterial pulse and pulse pressure are virtually eliminated. The effectiveness of HAL in avoiding hysterectomy for postpartum hemorrhage has been reported in up to 50% of cases. HAL has no adverse effect on subsequent fertility or pregnancy outcome, however, assessment for intrauterine fetal growth restriction is recommended. This safe and effective procedure should be taught during obstetric and gynecologic training.