Prevalence and outcome of primary postpartum haemorrhage in a tertiary care hospital: a hospital record based study

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the well known reasons for maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Primary PPH occurs within 24 hours postpartum and secondary PPH between 24 hours and six weeks postpartum. The most common obstetric haemorrhage is primary PPH. Objectives: This study was aimed to estimate the prevalence and outcome of PPH in a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: The present study was a retrospective study that included 225 mothers diagnosed with PPH. Data was collected from medical records available in the hospital. Prevalence and outcome of postpartum hemorrhage was the primary outcome, and the obstetric score, mode of delivery, and etiology were considered as secondary outcomes. Results: The prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage was 0.73%. The etiologies were found to be atonic uterus (79.11%), traumatic (19.56%), and tissue/retained bits (1.33%), and the risk factors were induced labor 16%, followed by prolonged labor 11.1%, preeclampsia 4.4%. 91.11% of patients were treated medically, and 8.88% were treated surgically. The percentage of patients who were multigravida and underwent surgical management was 65%. 221 (98.22%) participants survived, and four (1.78%) participants died. The cause of death was shock (75.00%) and cardiac arrest (25%). Conclusion: In this study, a prevalence of 0.73% was noted for primary PPH. Uterine atony was the most common etiology causing PPH. The most frequently encountered risk factors were induced labor. The majority of the patients underwent conservative management. Shock was the common cause of death due to PPH.