Overview

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of mortality, morbidity and long term disability related to pregnancy and childbirth. Effective interventions to prevent and treat PPH exist and can largely reduce the burden of this life-threatening condition.

Given the availability of new scientific evidence related to the prevention and treatment of PPH, this document updates previous WHO recommendations and adds new recommendations for the prevention and treatment of PPH. The primary goal of this guideline is to provide a foundation for the implementation of interventions shown to have been effective in reducing the burden of PPH. Health professionals responsible for developing national and local health policies constitute the main target audience of this document. Obstetricians, midwives, general medical practitioners, health care managers and public health policy-makers, particularly in under-resourced settings are also targeted. This document establishes general principles of PPH care and it is intended to inform the development of clinical protocols and health policies related to PPH.

Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations
• Executive summary
• 1. Background
• 2. Methods
  • Declaration of interest by participants in the WHO Technical Consultation
  • Decision-making during the Technical Consultation
  • Document preparation and peer review
• 3. Results
  • Recommendations for PPH prevention
  • Recommendations for PPH treatment
• 4. Research implications
  • Key research priority
  • Other research questions
• 5. Dissemination and implementation of the guideline
  • Guideline dissemination and evaluation
  • Guideline implementation
• 6. Applicability issues
  • Anticipated impact on the organization of care and resources
  • Monitoring and evaluating the guideline implementation
• 7. Updating the guideline
• References
• Annex 1 External experts, WHO staff involved in the preparation of the guideline, and summary of declarations of interest
• Annex 2 Critical outcomes for decision making
• Annex 3 Summary of the considerations related to the strength of the recommendations (Balance Worksheets)
• Evidence base

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