Late postpartum hemorrhage due to placental and fetal membrane residuals: experience of two cases

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the cause and preventative measures of late postpartum hemorrhage resulted from placental and fetal membrane residuals.

Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis on 161 cases of late postpartum hemorrhage resulting from residuals of placenta and fetal membrane from 2002 to 2012.

Results: Among the 161 cases, there were 148 cases of vaginal delivery and 13 cases of cesarean section delivery. One hundred twenty-one cases (4.77%) of placental and fetal membrane residuals were present in 2,535 cases of pregnant women with history of abortion; 40 cases (2.01%) of placental and fetal membrane residuals were found in 1,989 cases of pregnant women without history of abortion.

Conclusion: Placental and fetal membrane residuals are the major cause of late postpartum hemorrhage. Repeated abortion will increase the incidence of late postpartum hemorrhage resulting from placental and fetal membrane residuals.