Ocima Richard Draza: Postpartum Hemorrhage – A Practical Step-by-Step Management Guide
Ocima Richard Draza, Nurse at Canadian Specialist Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Postpartum Hemorrhage
1. What is PPH?
Heavy bleeding after childbirth, It is common but dangerous, so quick action is essential.
2. Quick Assessment (3 steps)
- Measure blood loss (weigh pads)
- Check vital signs (pulse, BP)
- Examine the uterus (size, tone greater than is it soft
atonic?).
3. First-Line Actions (Do Immediately)
If the uterus is soft then Uterine massage
՛Rub up a contraction՛
If needed then Bimanual compression (one hand inside, one hand outside to squeeze the uterus).
4. Medical Management
IV access (large bore x 2),
Take blood for:
- Hb
- Platelets
- Coagulation
- Crossmatch.
Give Oxytocin
- 5 IU IV bolus, then
- Infusion (40 IU in 500 mL crystalloid).
Empty Bladder
- Insert catheter – helps uterus contract better.
Fluid Resuscitation
- Rapid crystalloid/colloid up to 3.5 L
- Severe bleeding then give O-negative blood.
5. If Placenta Not Delivered
- Try gentle controlled cord traction.
- If still retained then manual removal under anesthesia.
- Give antibiotics after manual removal.
6. Additional Uterotonics
Use if bleeding continues:
Ergometrine (IM)
- Carboprost (IM)
- Misoprostol (rectal)
7. Tranexamic Acid
- TXA1g IV then improves outcomes in PPH.
8. Treat Trauma
- If genital tract tears then examine and suture.
9. If Bleeding Still Continues
Balloon Tamponade
- Insert a uterine balloon then fill with saline then compress bleeding site
Surgical Options
- B-Lvnch suture (brace suture around the
uterus) - Internal iliac artery ligation
- Hysterectomy (last resort) – Interventional Radiology
- Uterine artery embolization if stable for transfer.”

Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.
-
Jul 13, 2026, 20:17Julia R. Coleman: Fantastic First Day at ISTH 2026
-
Jul 13, 2026, 20:11Ruah Alyamany: Combination Therapy Improves Quality of Life in ITP
-
Jul 13, 2026, 19:47Brian O Mahony: Two-Year Results of BBM-H901 Gene Therapy Presented at ISTH 2026
-
Jul 13, 2026, 19:37Sara Zalghout: Connecting With Colleagues From All Over the World at ISTH 2026
-
Jul 13, 2026, 18:54Alfonso J. Tafur: New Evidence on Perioperative Anticoagulation in Cancer at ISTH 2026
-
Jul 13, 2026, 18:42Jessica Garcia: Thrombin Generation in Type 3 VWD With an Inhibitor on Emicizumab
-
Jul 13, 2026, 18:19Fionnuala Ní Áinle: High-Quality Evidence for DVT Diagnosis in Pregnancy at ISTH 2026
-
Jul 13, 2026, 17:39Pascal Boulanger: Send a Postcard to Your Lab Staff From ISTH 2026
-
Jul 13, 2026, 17:21Stefano Navarro: Presenting Our Recently Published Article at ISTH 2026