What are the primary causes of postpartum hemorrhage?

What are the primary causes of postpartum hemorrhage?

• A. Uterine atony, retained placental fragments, and trauma
• B. Infections and dehydration
• C. Blood clots and high blood pressure
• D. Hormonal imbalances and fatigue

Answer: (A)

Postpartum hemorrhage, defined as excessive bleeding following childbirth, is primarily attributed to three key factors: uterine atony, retained placental fragments, and trauma. Uterine atony, which is the failure of the uterus to contract effectively after delivery, is the most common cause of immediate postpartum hemorrhage. When the uterus does not contract, it fails to compress the blood vessels that were attached to the placenta, leading to significant blood loss. Retained placental fragments can also result in postpartum hemorrhage because any remaining tissue can prevent the uterus from properly contracting and lead to continued bleeding. Trauma during delivery, such as lacerations to the cervix, vagina, or perineum, can cause direct bleeding, further contributing to the overall risk of hemorrhage. The other choices do not identify primary mechanisms that lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Infections and dehydration are more related to complications that occur postpartum but are not direct causes of hemorrhage. Blood clots and high blood pressure typically relate to other conditions, like thromboembolic events or hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, rather than being direct causes of postpartum hemorrhage. Hormonal imbalances and fatigue may influence the overall recovery process after childbirth but are not recognized as primary causes of

Postpartum hemorrhage, defined as excessive bleeding following childbirth, is primarily attributed to three key factors: uterine atony, retained placental fragments, and trauma. Uterine atony, which is the failure of the uterus to contract effectively after delivery, is the most common cause of immediate postpartum hemorrhage. When the uterus does not contract, it fails to compress the blood vessels that were attached to the placenta, leading to significant blood loss.

Retained placental fragments can also result in postpartum hemorrhage because any remaining tissue can prevent the uterus from properly contracting and lead to continued bleeding. Trauma during delivery, such as lacerations to the cervix, vagina, or perineum, can cause direct bleeding, further contributing to the overall risk of hemorrhage.

The other choices do not identify primary mechanisms that lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Infections and dehydration are more related to complications that occur postpartum but are not direct causes of hemorrhage. Blood clots and high blood pressure typically relate to other conditions, like thromboembolic events or hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, rather than being direct causes of postpartum hemorrhage. Hormonal imbalances and fatigue may influence the overall recovery process after childbirth but are not recognized as primary causes of