E130: Postpartum Hemorrhage Basics

Send us Fan MailPostpartum bleeding is expected, but postpartum hemorrhage is a different conversation, and it is one every parent deserves to understand before they are tired, sore, and trying to figure out what “too much” even means. We walk through what normal blood loss can look like after birth, why it often appears worse than it is, and the real thresholds clinicians use when they are watching for danger.We get practical about the why: uterine atony (a soft, boggy uterus that is not contracting), retained placenta or fragments, tissue trauma like lacerations, and clotting issues that can show up with conditions like preeclampsia or severe infection. I also explain who is at higher risk, why hemorrhage can still surprise low-risk families, and how delayed postpartum hemorrhage can happen days or even weeks after delivery.Then we dig into what prevention and treatment look like in real time: frequent fundal checks and uterine massage, standard Pitocin after delivery, and additional tools like Methergine, Hemabate, misoprostol (Cytotec), and TXA. We also talk about next steps when bleeding will not stop, including bladder management, repairing tears, transfusion, Bakri balloon, the Jada device, D&C, and rare life-saving hysterectomy. You will hear a powerful birth story where the “big event” is the placenta, and the relief that comes when a high-risk history ends in a best-case outcome.If this helps you feel more steady and informed, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who is preparing for birth, and leave a rating or review so more families can find it.Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & LatchedFollow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatchedShow CreditsHost: Angie Rosier Music: Michael Hicks Photographer: Toni WalkerEpisode Artwork: Nick Greenwood Producer: Gillian Rosier FramptonVoiceover: Ryan Parker