UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) in preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) among women with identified risk factors for PPH undergoing vaginal delivery in China.
UNASSIGNED: This prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial enrolled 2258 women with one or more risk factors for PPH who underwent vaginal delivery. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive an intravascular infusion of 1 g TXA or a placebo immediately after the delivery of the infant. The primary outcome assessed was the incidence of PPH, defined as blood loss ≥500 mL within 24 h after delivery, while severe PPH was considered as a secondary outcome and defined by total blood loss ≥1000 mL within 24 h.
UNASSIGNED: 2245 individuals (99.4%) could be followed up to their primary outcome. PPH occurred in 186 of 1128 women in the TXA group and in 215 of 1117 women in the placebo group (16.5% vs. 19.2%; RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.02; p = 0.088). Regarding secondary outcomes related to efficacy, women in the TXA group had a significant lower rate of severe PPH than those in the placebo group (2.7% vs. 5.6%; RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.74; p = 0.001; adjusted p = 0.002). Similarly, there was a significant reduction in the use of additional uterotonic agents (7.8% vs. 15.6%; RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.63; p < 0.001; adjusted p = 0.001). No occurrence of thromboembolic events and maternal deaths were reported in both groups within 30 days after delivery.
UNASSIGNED: In total population with risk factors for PPH, the administration of TXA following vaginal delivery did not result in a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of PPH compared to placebo; however, it was associated with a significantly lower incidence of severe PPH.
Prophylactic administration of TXA did not yield a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of PPH among women with risk factors in vaginal deliveries.Prophylactic use of TXA may help to reduce the incidence of severe PPH.

OBJECTIVE: While there have been numerous innovations recently for the management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a limited body of research supports their application during this critical complication, which contributes significantly to maternal mortality worldwide. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three interventions - transvaginal uterine artery clamp (TVUAC), vacuum-assisted uterine contraction using a suction cannula (SC), and condom tamponade (CT) - in the management of atonic PPH.
METHODS: An open-label RCT was conducted among women who delivered vaginally and developed atonic PPH at a tertiary care obstetric facility. Block randomization with sealed envelopes was used to allocate eligible participants into three interventional arms with a 1:1:1 ratio. The exclusion criteria were twin deliveries, haemodynamically unstable patients, and individuals who did not provide informed consent. The primary outcome variables assessed were blood loss post-application, total blood loss, time taken for application, and time required to achieve haemostasis within each trial arm. The secondary outcomes were the need for a second instrument or surgical intervention to control bleeding, and requirement for blood transfusion. Effectiveness outcomes were analysed as intention-to-treat, whilst safety outcomes were analysed as as-treated.
RESULTS: Sixteen participants were randomized to each intervention group (n = 48). TVUAC and SC demonstrated comparable outcomes, while CT lagged in all examined parameters. Following device application, blood loss was similar in both the TVUAC (235 ± 187 ml) and SC (246.5 ± 189 ml) groups. However, following the use of CT, there was blood loss of 431 ± 427 ml, although this difference was not significant (p = 0.113). When considering total blood loss, the TVUAC group (903 ± 234 ml) showed slightly higher values than the SC group (887 ± 184 ml). However, the CT group exhibited notably higher total blood loss (1068 ± 455 ml) than the TVUAC and SC groups. In terms of application time, both TVUAC (1.8 ± 1.1 min) and SC (1.6 ± 0.9 min) significantly outperformed CT (3 ± 1.3 min) (p = 0.002). Furthermore, the time interval from the diagnosis of PPH to achieving haemostasis (defined as the time taken for active haemostasis) was significantly shorter in the TVUAC group (6 ± 4 min) and the SC group (5.7 ± 1.6 min) compared with the CT group (9.7 ± 3.8 min) (p = 0.002).
CONCLUSIONS: TVUAC and SC are more effective for the management of PPH than CT. However, both TVUAC and SC have advantages and disadvantages. While these results suggest a potential preference for TVUAC and SC over CT for the management of PPH, further research is necessary to validate these findings.

BACKGROUND: Re-exploration following caesarean birth and the associated maternal morbidity has not been investigated in the UK. Our aims were to determine the national incidence and identify the associated risk factors.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational case-control study across 194 UK consultant-led maternity units in women whose caesarean birth was complicated by a re-exploration. Independent factors for re-exploration were analysed using multivariable multi-level mixed effects logistic regression.
RESULTS: Over the study period (1 June 2021 and 31 May 2022) 238,423 caesarean births were recorded across the UK of which 187 women underwent re-exploration, giving an incidence of one re-exploration per 1282 caesarean births (95%CI 1:1099-1:1471). Haemorrhage (124/187, 66.3%) and sepsis (31/187, 16.6%) were the most common findings at re-exploration. Median (IQR [range]) time interval to re-exploration following the caesarean birth was 1 (0-4 [0-28]) day. Mechanical ventilation was required in 34 (18.6%) women, cardiac arrest was reported in 5 (2.7%) and 3 (1.6%) women died. Independent preceding factors associated with a re-exploration included: receipt of blood transfusion (adjusted OR (95%CI) 8.25 (2.66-25.61)); use of a general anaesthetic (adjusted OR (95%CI) 3.33 (1.61-6.88)); pre-eclampsia (adjusted OR (95%CI) 3.27 (1.55-6.91)); black ethnicity (adjusted OR (95%CI) 3.14 (1.39-7.11)); postpartum haemorrhage (adjusted OR (95%CI) 2.82 (1.81-4.37)); use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs pre-caesarean birth (adjusted OR (95%CI) 2.26 (1.35-3.81)); and emergency caesarean birth (adjusted OR (95%CI) 1.89 (1.01-3.57)).
CONCLUSIONS: Re-exploration following caesarean birth in the UK is uncommon but is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. These study findings will help guide informed consent and encourage appropriate surveillance of high-risk women postpartum.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a frequent complication of childbirth that is difficult to predict. Predelivery coagulation biomarkers may help to guide preventive strategies. Our objective was to evaluate the association of predelivery haemostatic biomarkers with non-severe PPH. Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted within the « Study of Biological Determinants of Bleeding Postpartum » in order to compare different haemostatic biomarkers in plasma from pregnant women with non-severe PPH (cases) and controls without PPH matched for age, body mass index, term, and mode of delivery. Blood was collected at entry in the delivery room. Global haemostatic assays (thrombin generation assay (TGA) and plasmin generation assay (PGA)) were then performed on freshly thawed aliquots of platelet-poor plasma. Results: A total of 370 pregnant women (185 cases and 185 controls) were included. Median [interquartile range] predelivery platelet count was lower in PPH cases than in controls (217 [181-259] versus 242 [196-280] G/L). TGA and PGA parameters were similar between cases and controls. In a subset analysis of vaginal deliveries (n = 144), median predelivery TGA thrombin peak was lower, and median predelivery PGA lag phase was longer in cases compared to controls. In multivariable analysis, only predelivery platelet count was independently associated with non-severe PPH. Conclusions: Predelivery platelet count is associated with non-severe PPH. Differences in other haemostatic parameters are tenuous, questioning their usefulness in predicting non-severe PPH.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes and complications of prophylactic internal iliac balloon occlusion (PIIBO) in the management of patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) at a large regional referral centre.
METHODS: A retrospective review of all PIIBO for PAS performed over a 12-year period (2010-2022). Information for analysis was gathered from the local RIS/PACS and clinical documentation. Collected data included patient demographics, indication for procedure, sheath insertion and removal time, total duration of balloon inflation and complications that occurred.
RESULTS: 106 patients underwent temporary internal iliac artery balloon occlusion within the 12-year period. All procedures utilised bilateral common femoral artery punctures, 6Fr sheath and 5Fr Le Maitre occlusion balloons. Catheters were successfully positioned and balloons inflated in obstetric theatre following caesarean delivery in 100% of the cases. The uterus was conserved in every case. There was no maternal mortality or foetal morbidity. Twenty patients (18.9%) had some form of complication that required further intervention. Of these, 7(6.6%) had post-operative PPH, which was treated with uterine artery embolisation; and 13 (12.3%) had arterial thrombus which required aspiration thrombectomy. All procedures were technically successful with no long-term sequelae.
CONCLUSIONS: PIIBO plays an important part in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with PAS. Clear pathways and multidisciplinary team working is critical in the management of these patients to ensure that any complications are dealt with promptly to avoid long-term sequelae.

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity on a global scale. Ethnic background is known to be a determinant of variation in the outcomes of women receiving maternity care across the world. Despite free maternity healthcare in the UK National Health Service, women with an ethnic minority background giving birth have an increased risk of PPH, even when other characteristics of the mother, the baby and the care received are considered. Improving PPH care has significant implications for improving health equity. The underlying causes of ethnic disparities are complex and multifaceted. It requires a deep dive into analysing the unique patient factors that make these women more likely to suffer from a PPH as well as reflecting on the efficacy of intra and postpartum care and prophylactic treatment these women receive.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and subsequent cardiovascular disease.
METHODS: Population-based retrospective cohort study, using record linkage between Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank (AMND) and Scottish healthcare data sets.
METHODS: Grampian region, Scotland.
METHODS: A cohort of 70 904 women who gave birth after 24 weeks of gestation in the period 1986-2016.
METHODS: We used extended Cox regression models to investigate the association between having had one or more occurrences of PPH in any (first or subsequent) births (exposure) and subsequent cardiovascular disease, adjusted for sociodemographic, medical, and pregnancy and birth-related factors.
METHODS: Cardiovascular disease identified from the prescription of selected cardiovascular medications, hospital discharge records or death from cardiovascular disease.
RESULTS: In our cohort of 70 904 women (with 124 795 birth records), 25 177 women (36%) had at least one PPH. Compared with not having a PPH, having at least one PPH was associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, as defined above, in the first year after birth (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.51-2.53; p < 0.001). The association was attenuated over time, but strong evidence of increased risk remained at 2-5 years (aHR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.30, P < 0.001) and at 6-15 years after giving birth (aHR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.30, p = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with women who have never had a PPH, women who have had at least one episode of PPH are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease in the first year after birth, and some increased risk persists for up to 15 years.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum anaemia is a prevalent health problem. We aimed to determine the compliance rate for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion indication among postpartum women in a single tertiary care centre in Quebec, Canada.
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including all women ≥6 h postpartum who received ≥1 RBC transfusion during their delivery hospitalization between January 2005 and February 2022. We determined our centre\'s compliance rate by indication as compared to current society guidelines, all published after 2015 (Network for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management, Haemostasis and Thrombosis [NATA], Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [RCOG], American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG]). We then explored predictors of guideline non-compliance and described transfusion practices in our centre.
RESULTS: A total of 171 women were included. Our centre\'s compliance rate was 79.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 72.7-84.8). Predictors of guideline non-compliance were maternal medical comorbidity or abnormal placentation, both limited by large CIs (odds ratio [OR] 2.26, CI 1.02-4.94, p = 0.04; OR 4.00, CI 1.31-12.06, p = 0.01, respectively). Postpartum haemorrhage was diagnosed among 68% of the cohort, mostly due to uterine atony (73.3%). Mean baseline and nadir haemoglobin were 111 g/L (±18) and 62 g/L (±7.7), respectively. Multiple unit initial transfusion was found in a majority of patients (63.7%). Iron therapy was administered to 51.5% of women in-hospital and 81.9% received an oral iron prescription at discharge. There were no differences in primary or secondary outcomes subsequent to relevant guideline publication.
CONCLUSIONS: Our centre\'s compliance rate for RBC transfusion indication meets current practice guidelines. Areas for improvement include single-unit initial transfusion protocols and adjuvant iron treatment. Antenatal optimization of haemoglobin and ferritin stores may limit postpartum transfusions.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a comprehensive understanding of the roles of midwives and the challenges they encounter in the prevention, diagnosis and management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) following normal vaginal delivery.
METHODS: We conducted a scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) recommendations.
METHODS: We considered studies related to the roles of midwives and the challenges they encounter in the prevention, diagnosis and management of PPH during vaginal delivery. We excluded guidelines, consensuses, abstracts of meetings and non-English language studies. Databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Medline, Embase, JBI EBP and BIOSIS Previews, were searched on January 1, 2023, with no time limitations.
RESULTS: We included 28 publications. Midwives play important roles in the prevention, diagnosis and management of postpartum haemorrhage during vaginal delivery. In the prevention of PPH, midwives\' roles include identifying and managing high-risk factors, managing labour and implementing skin-to-skin contact. In the diagnosis of PPH, midwives\' roles include early recognition and blood loss estimation. In the management of PPH, midwives are involved in mobilizing other professional team members, emergency management, investigating causes, enhancing uterine contractions, the repair of perineal tears, arranging transfers and preparation for surgical intervention. However, midwives face substantial challenges, including insufficient knowledge and skills, poor teamwork skills, insufficient resources and the need to deal with their negative emotions. Midwives must improve their knowledge, skills and teamwork abilities. Health care system managers and the government should give full support to midwives. Future research should focus on developing clinical practice guidelines for midwives for preventing, diagnosing and managing postpartum haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of caesarean section as a delivery method is increasing worldwide. However, there is notable divergence among countries in their national guidelines regarding the optimal technique for blunt expansion hysterotomy of the low transverse uterine incision during caesarean section (cephalad-caudad or transverse).
OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) between cephalad-caudad and transverse blunt expansion hysterotomy during caesarean section.
METHODS: This prospective comparative observational study was conducted in a university maternity hospital. All women who gave birth to one infant by caesarean section after 30 weeks of gestation between November 2020 and November 2021 were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were a coagulation disorder, the presence of placenta previa, multiple pregnancies, or enlargement of the hysterotomy with scissors. The choice between cephalad-caudad or transverse blunt expansion of the low transverse hysterotomy was left to the surgeon\'s discretion. The primary outcome measure was severe PPH, defined as estimated blood loss ≥ 1000 ml. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to assess the risk of severe PPH associated with the two methods of enlarging the low transverse hysterotomy.
RESULTS: The study included 850 women, of whom 404 underwent transverse blunt expansion and 446 underwent cephalad-caudad blunt expansion. The overall incidence of severe PPH was 13.3 %. Univariate analysis revealed no significant difference in the frequency of severe PPH between the cephalad-caudad and transverse blunt expansion groups (13.9 % vs 12.6 %; p = 0.61). However, the use of additional surgical sutures (mainly additional haemostatic stitches) was less common with cephalad-caudad blunt expansion (26.7 % vs 36.9 %; p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in risk between the two techniques (odds ratio 1.17, 95 % confidence interval 0.77-1.78).
CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in the risk of severe PPH was found between cephalad-caudad and transverse blunt expansion of the low transverse hysterotomy during caesarean section.