Review of Primary Postpartum Haemorrhage in Sagamu, Nigeria

Abstract

In the years 2000 to 2005, a total of 2443 booked deliveries were recorded in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu. One thousand seven hundred and seventy one [72.5%] patients delivered vaginally and six hundred and seventy two [27.5%] patients had caesarean section. Out of these deliveries, 76 had primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), giving a prevalence of 3.1%. Uterine atony and genital tract trauma were the main causes of the primary PPH. Associated factors were prolonged second and third stages of labour, induction and augmentation of labour with oxytocin and instrumental deliveries. To tackle and prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with PPH, there is need to anticipate it, actively manage third stage of labour, and promptly repair episiotomy sites as well as cervical and vaginal lacerations. The importance of supervised antenatal care and delivery in the hospital should be explained to expectant mothers.

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 52 (3) 2007: pp. 51-54