WHO recommendations for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage
Bleeding after childbirth (postpartum haemorrhage) is an important cause of maternal mortality, accounting for nearly one quarter of all maternal deaths worldwide. Common causes for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) include failure of the uterus to contract adequately after birth leading to atonic PPH, tears of the genital tract leading to traumatic PPH and bleeding due to retention of placental tissue. In the light of this situation, WHO held a technical consultation on the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in Geneva on 18–20 October 2006 to discuss the various issues related to the prevention of PPH and to develop recommendations.