Association between hypertensive disorders and postpartum hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

Objective

To investigate the association between hypertensive disorders and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), by measuring the hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrits (Ht) levels among women attending a university hospital in the Sao Paulo countryside.

Method

Epidemiological, cross-sectional study, conducted with 100 primiparous, in the period between August and December 2012. Hemoglobin and hematocrit dosages were tested upon admission of the mother and 48 hours after delivery. Values ≥ 10% drop in the hematocrit numbers when compared to those shown in admission, were considered as HPP. HPP was considered the dependent variable and the independent variables were socioeconomic, pathological, prenatal care, admission, delivery and assistance. Univariate and bivariate statistics were used, with 5% significance level.

Results

The hypertensive disorders were the most commonly occurring disorders; there was the presence of positive correlation between the fall in Ht and Hb levels and there was no association found between hypertensive disorders and HPP.

Conclusions

Primiparous not suffering from hypertensive disorders were more likely to present PPH.

Postpartum hemorrhage; Pregnancy-induced hypertension; HELLP syndrome; Eclampsia; Pre eclampsia; Hypertension; Millennium Development Goals