Massive obstetric haemorrhage

Massive obstetric haemorrhage is a major cause of maternal death and morbidity; abruptio placentae, placenta praevia and postpartum haemorrhage being the main causes. A delay in the correction of hypovolaemia, a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of defective coagulation and a delay in the surgical control of bleeding are the avoidable factors in most maternal deaths caused by haemorrhage. The degree of hypotension is the first guide to the level of blood loss, except in abruptio placentae. A protocol incorporating the guidelines is shown. The rapid correction of hypovolaemia with crystalloids and red cells is the first priority, followed by blood component therapy as indicated by the haematocrit, coagulation tests, platelet count and clinical features. Serial monitoring of the response to treatment is essential. Oxytocin and prostaglandin will correct uterine atony, and appropriate surgical intervention is required for traumatic bleeding. Ligation of the uterine arteries, ovarian arteries and internal iliac arteries will usually control uterine bleeding, arterial embolization also being effective. Hysterectomy should be considered as well. Catastrophic bleeding may also arise in complications such as rupture of the liver and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. These rare complications are best managed by a multidisciplinary team involving the obstetrician, anaesthetist, haematologist, hepatologist and renal physician. The rupture of aneurysms in the splenic artery and in other branches of the aorta can result in massive haemorrhage during pregnancy and following delivery.