Postpartum Hemorrhage Management: The Importance Of Timing

Postpartum hemorrhage is defined as a blood loss equal to or greater than 500 ml, which can occur from 24 hours to six weeks after delivery. It is a critical event with a rapid and devastating evolution, which can quickly lead to maternal shock and death.Many efforts have been made to create international and multisectoral guidelines that allow to face an event that represents the cause of about one quarter of maternal deaths. It is crucial to create a team able to act promptly in accordance with shared protocols. The availability of shared guidelines and protocols and the organization of periodic simulations and teamwork training are part of the fundamental initiatives that can promote the safety of perinatal care. The purpose of this document is to give clinicians the tools to minimize the risks associated with inadequate management of hemorrhagic emergency, avoiding the risk of "too little or too late" and giving patients maximum safety.