Study finds postpartum hemorrhage rates likely underreported

Subjective assessment estimates of postpartum blood loss likely underestimate its prevalence, finds a meta-analysis published in The Lancet: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health. The study found postpartum hemorrhage and severe postpartum hemorrhage were significantly higher when clinicians used objective measures during vaginal and caesarean births. Among 81 studies consisting of 42.7 million women in 40 countries, the pooled prevalence of objectively diagnosed postpartum hemorrhage and severe postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal birth were 12.6% and 3.3%, respectively, compared with 3.9% and 2.3% with subjective diagnoses. For severe postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean births, the pooled prevalence was 8.5% with objective methods compared with 3.7% with subjective measures. The authors say awareness of correct postpartum hemorrhage rates could help establish its prevalence and improve overall outcomes. (MedPage Today article, 12/15/25)