Exploring the knowledge of midwives regarding early warning signs of primary postpartum haemorrhage in KwaMhlanga hospital

Abstract

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains in the top five causes of maternal deaths in both developed and developing countries. Prompt recognition and treatment of women with severe primary postpartum haemorrhage that may continue in ongoing blood loss is essential to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. Although routine antenatal assessment can identify women with associated factors that may increase the risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage, a significant proportion of women will develop intrapartum complications that cause severe haemorrhage due to uterine atony, lacerations and haematomas caused by birth trauma, retained tissue or placenta and coagulation defects. It appears that the midwives who are working in the setting where this study was conducted experienced challenges in identifying the risk factors of early warning signs of primary postpartum haemorrhage. The study seeked to explore and describe the knowledge of midwives working in maternity units of Kwamhlanga district hospital regarding early warning signs of primary postpartum haemorrhage.