Maternal Hemorrhage

Managing Maternal Hemorrhage

The most common causes of maternal death are pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), embolism, and obstetrical hemorrhage.

Obstetrical hemorrhage is known as the most preventable cause of maternal mortality. Hemorrhage accounted for 15.25% of all reported maternal mortalities in New York State between 2003 and 2005. Ninety seven percent (97%) of all hemorrhage deaths occurred while women were hospitalized. These deaths spanned all socioeconomic classes and, in addition to the deaths, an even larger number of "near misses", women who had severe hemorrhages but survived, were reported.

Because most of the deaths from hemorrhage occur in the hospital, and because it is a highly preventable cause of death, New York State and New York City Health Departments, in collaboration with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), District II, NYS Safe Motherhood Initiative, have sent clinical recommendations and a poster for labor/delivery or surgical suite staff to all hospitals with obstetric services in the state. Access to educational slide sets on prevention of maternal death through improved management of hemorrhage is available below.

Health Advisory

Posters

Presentations