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One in 25 women will experience postpartum hemorrhage

	Treatments may help prevent this relatively uncommon condition. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to learn more about the risk factors for post-partum hemorrhage.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to learn more about how active management of the third stage of labor can help prevent heavy bleeding after childbirth.

We've brought together the best research about preventing heavy bleeding after you have a baby, and weighed the evidence about it. You can use our information to talk with your doctor and decide which treatments are best for you.

Key points about heavy bleeding after childbirth

• If you lose a pint or more of blood after childbirth, it means you have heavy bleeding (also called postpartum hemorrhage).
• Some risk factors for heavy bleeding include having twins, having a large baby and having preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
• Most heavy bleeding after childbirth is caused by the uterus not shrinking down (contracting) properly. This is also called uterine atony.
• Active management of the third stage of labor (the time between when your baby is born and when you deliver the placenta) can help prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
• An injection of oxytocin can be given to shrink down the uterus.

Heavy bleeding after childbirth can lead to anemia, the need for a blood transfusion and other complications. But, in the United States, women can lose one to two pints of blood and still recover well.

We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about heavy bleeding after childbirth. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.