Which complications might a patient experience following a forceps assisted delivery?
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Postpartum HemorrhageWhat is postpartum hemorrhage?Postpartum hemorrhage is more bleeding than normal after the birth of a baby. About 1 in 100 to 5 in 100 women have postpartum hemorrhage. It is more likely with a cesarean birth. It most often happens after the placenta is delivered, but it can also happen later. What causes postpartum hemorrhage?Once a baby is delivered, the uterus normally contracts and pushes out the placenta. After the placenta is delivered, these contractions help put pressure on the bleeding vessels in the area where the placenta was attached. If the uterus does not contract strongly enough, these blood vessels bleed freely. This is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage. If small pieces of the placenta stay attached, bleeding is also likely. Postpartum hemorrhage may also be caused by:
Who is at risk for postpartum hemorrhage?Some women are at greater risk for postpartum hemorrhage than others. Conditions that may increase the risk include:
What are the symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage?These are the most common symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage:
The symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage may look like other health conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is postpartum hemorrhage diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will review your health history and do a physical exam. Lab tests often help with the diagnosis. Other tests may include:
How is postpartum hemorrhage treated?The aim of treatment of postpartum hemorrhage is to find and stop the cause of the bleeding as soon as possible. Treatment may include:
Replacing lost blood and fluids is important in treating postpartum hemorrhage. You may quickly be given IV (intravenous) fluids, blood, and blood products to prevent shock. Oxygen may also help. Postpartum hemorrhage can be quite serious. But when your provider quickly finds and treats the cause of bleeding, you often will be able to recover fully. What are possible complications of postpartum hemorrhage?Losing lots of blood quickly can cause a severe drop in your blood pressure. This may lead to shock and death if not treated. What can I do to prevent postpartum hemorrhage?It’s important to know before delivery what puts you at risk for postpartum hemorrhage. It is important to have emergency care available in case it is needed at the time of delivery and after birth. Early care can reduce the amount of blood loss. When should I call my healthcare provider?Most cases of postpartum hemorrhage occur at delivery or soon after. But you may bleed heavily after you go home from the hospital. If this happens, call your healthcare provider right away. Key points about postpartum hemorrhage
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
What happens after forceps delivery?You may spend a little longer in the hospital after a forceps delivery, but recovery time is about the same as it is for an unassisted birth. It usually takes about six weeks, occasionally longer if you're healing from severe tears. If you have stiches, they'll dissolve in about a month.
Which of the following are the immediate maternal complications of Forcep delivery?Early maternal complications include lacerations and bleeding. Even with appropriate use, forceps deliveries may be associated with an increased risk of perineal tears, possibly due to the more rapid stretching of the tissues with delivery of the fetal head.
Can a forceps delivery cause problems?While using forceps is considered a safe procedure, forceps can cause brain damage during delivery. One of the most common and severe injuries is cerebral palsy. This disorder can affect the movement, balance, and muscle tone of the baby.
Can forceps delivery cause problems later in life?There is a risk of serious and permanent birth injury due to forceps delivery. Excessive pressure on the infant's soft skull is all it takes to cause irreparable brain damage. Cerebral palsy is one example of the type of permanent disability that can result from a forceps delivery.
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