Predictors of severity in primary postpartum hemorrhage

Purpose To identify risk factors and etiologies leading to severe primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in women with PPH. Methods Women who experienced PPH within the first 24 h after delivery over a 3-year period were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of severe PPH (n = 125) or non-severe PPH (n = 411). Risk factors and etiologies for severe PPH were explored using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results PPH and severe PPH complicated 2.1 and 0.49 % of all deliveries, respectively. Previous cesarean delivery (OR = 3.15, 95 % CI = 1.02-10.3; p = 0.001), prolonged labor (OR = 3.62, 95 % CI = 3.21-4.03; p < 0.001), oxytocin augmentation (OR = 3.32, 95 % CI 2.05-5.93; p < 0.001) and emergency cesarean delivery (OR = 4.75, 95 % CI 1.32-12.96; p < 0.001) were the factors independently associated with severe PPH. Etiologies significantly associated with severe PPH are uterine atony (OR = 2.72, 95 % CI 1.64-4.55; p < 0.001) and abnormal placentation (OR = 3.05, 95 % CI 1.56-6.27; p = 0.006). Conclusion Previous cesarean delivery, prolonged labor, oxytocin augmentation and emergency cesarean delivery are strongest predictors of severe blood loss in women with PPH. In addition, uterine atony and abnormal placentation are the etiologies significantly associated with severe PPH.