Abstract
Objective
To quantify reporting errors, measure incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and define risk factors for PPH (≥500 ml) and progression to severe PPH (≥1500 ml).
Design
Prospective observational study.
Setting
Two UK maternity services.
Population
Women giving birth between 1 August 2008 and 31 July 2009 (n = 10 213).
Methods
Weighted sampling with sequential adjustment by multivariate analysis.
Main outcome measures
Incidence and risk factors for PPH and progression to severe PPH.
Results
Errors in transcribing blood volume were frequent (14%) with evidence of threshold preference and avoidance. The incidences of PPH ≥500, ≥1500 and ≥2500 ml were 33.7% (95% CI 31.2–36.2), 3.9% (95% CI 3.3–4.6) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.6–1.0). New independent risk factors predicting PPH ≥ 500 ml included Black African ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.31–2.39) and assisted conception (aOR 2.93, 95% CI 1.30–6.59). Modelling demonstrated how prepregnancy- and pregnancy-acquired factors may be mediated through intrapartum events, including caesarean section, elective (aOR 24.4, 95% CI 5.53–108.00) or emergency (aOR 40.5, 95% CI 16.30–101.00), and retained placenta (aOR 21.3, 95% CI 8.31–54.7). New risk factors were identified for progression to severe PPH, including index of multiple deprivation (education, skills and training) (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.11–2.74), multiparity without caesarean section (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.20–2.28) and administration of steroids for fetal reasons (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.24–3.22).
Conclusions
Sequential, interacting, traditional and new risk factors explain the highest rates of PPH and severe PPH reported to date.
To quantify reporting errors, measure incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and define risk factors for PPH (≥500 ml) and progression to severe PPH (≥1500 ml).
Design
Prospective observational study.
Setting
Two UK maternity services.
Population
Women giving birth between 1 August 2008 and 31 July 2009 (n = 10 213).
Methods
Weighted sampling with sequential adjustment by multivariate analysis.
Main outcome measures
Incidence and risk factors for PPH and progression to severe PPH.
Results
Errors in transcribing blood volume were frequent (14%) with evidence of threshold preference and avoidance. The incidences of PPH ≥500, ≥1500 and ≥2500 ml were 33.7% (95% CI 31.2–36.2), 3.9% (95% CI 3.3–4.6) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.6–1.0). New independent risk factors predicting PPH ≥ 500 ml included Black African ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.31–2.39) and assisted conception (aOR 2.93, 95% CI 1.30–6.59). Modelling demonstrated how prepregnancy- and pregnancy-acquired factors may be mediated through intrapartum events, including caesarean section, elective (aOR 24.4, 95% CI 5.53–108.00) or emergency (aOR 40.5, 95% CI 16.30–101.00), and retained placenta (aOR 21.3, 95% CI 8.31–54.7). New risk factors were identified for progression to severe PPH, including index of multiple deprivation (education, skills and training) (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.11–2.74), multiparity without caesarean section (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.20–2.28) and administration of steroids for fetal reasons (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.24–3.22).
Conclusions
Sequential, interacting, traditional and new risk factors explain the highest rates of PPH and severe PPH reported to date.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 876-888 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
| Volume | 121 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2014 |