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PPH (Postpartum haemorrhage)
A PPH, or postpartum haemorrhage, is the leading cause of maternal death across the world and occurs in about 5% of births. A PPH involves the mother losing more than 500 mL of blood after she delivers her baby. If she loses more than 1000 mL it is considered to be a major PPH.
Once the third stage of labour is managed well and prophylactic oxytocics are used during labour you should greatly reduce your risk of PPH. A PPH can also occur once you have already returned home, in which case it is called a secondary PPH. Secondary PPHs tend to involve significantly less blood loss and can usually be treated with antibiotics in 48-72 hours.
Tags: delivery, labour, maternal death, postpartum haemorrhage, PPH, pregnancy, pregnant, secondary PPH, stage 3 of labour