Read up on Childbirth, heavy bleeding treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Childbirth, heavy bleeding

Key points about treatments

Most women in the United States don't bleed heavily after childbirth, but occasionally it does happen. Doctors have found that some treatments may help to prevent this.

Key points about preventing heavy bleeding after childbirth

Your doctor or midwife can take steps to prevent heavy bleeding in the time between when your baby is born and when you deliver the

placenta
The placenta is an organ that grows in the womb during pregnancy. It joins the woman to the growing baby. The placenta provides the baby with oxygen, water and nutrients from the mother's blood. It also produces the hormones that are involved in pregnancy.

placenta (afterbirth). This is called managing the third stage of labor and research has found it works. Your doctor or midwife can put a clamp on the umbilical cord, drain the blood out of it, pull gently on the cord, and give you an injection to help your uterus shrink. Or you might just get an injection on its own.
All or most women who have a baby by vaginal delivery will have their third stage of labor actively managed. That's because it's hard to predict who will have problems, and the active management has to be done before the heavy bleeding happens.
But some women may decide they want the third stage of labor to be natural with no extra treatments.
Massaging your uterus (womb) after you give birth may help it to shrink.
Breastfeeding right after you deliver doesn't seem to help prevent heavy bleeding. But it's good for you and your baby in other ways.

This information was last updated on Feb 05, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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