Postpartum hemorrhage in low risk population

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in low risk patients. METHODS: All deliveries between 2001 and 2007 were retrieved. Women with well-established preexisting risk factors for PPH were excluded. Among the remaining women (n=15,198) considered at low risk, various factors were assessed to evaluate their role in PPH. RESULTS: Rates of PPH increased from 1.03 in 2001 to 2.45% in 2007. Gestational age at delivery, induction of labor with oxytocin, cesarean section and regional analgesia were not associated with PPH. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the following factors were significantly associated with PPH: increased birth weight (P<0.001), female gender (P=0.006), duration of membrane rupture (P=0.002), duration of second stage (P<0.001), chorioamnionitis (P=0.02), and use of prostaglandins (P=0.041). CONCLUSION: Early recognition of the specific factors presented as associated with PPH should prompt early intervention to reduce the PPH and maternal morbidity.