Emergency childbirth rupture. Bleeding after delivery (postpartum hemorrhage) After delivery of the baby, a uterus that is not contracting (atonic uterus), ruptured uterus, remaining parts of placenta or baby or infected remaining parts of placenta or baby can cause severe bleeding. Postpartum bleeding is usually managed preventatively by massaging the lower abdomen (fundal massage), which increases contraction of the uterus and stops bleeding. Additionally, steady traction is applied to the cord to prevent trauma, cord avulsion (tearing of the umbilical cord), uterine inversion, and retained placental products, all of which can increase blood loss and/or the risk of infection. Postpartum hemorrhage is
Umbilical cord prolapse The two major categories of risk factors are spontaneous and iatrogenic, or those that result from medical intervention. Umbilical cord prolapse should always be considered a possibility when there is a sudden decrease in fetal heart rate or variable decelerations, particularly after the rupture of membranes. With overt prolapses, the diagnosis can be confirmed if the cord can be palpated on vaginal examination. Without overt prolapse, the diagnosis can only be confirmed after a cesarean section, though even then it will not always be evident at time of procedure. There are three types of umbilical prolapse that can occur: The