Sexual and reproductive education in adolescence: a real indicator of good contraceptive practices? The Portuguese reality

Abstract

Main outcome measures: Factors associated with the cause of the haemorrhage and the resulting morbidity. Results: There were 15 women of 6431 deliveries during the study period, giving a prevalence of 0.24%. The mean age of the women was 31.3 ± 5.3 years and mean parity was 2.9 ± 1.4. The time of presentation was 13.7 ± 14 days after delivery. Primary postpartum hemorrhage was present in one quarter of them. About 60% had vaginal delivery and the others had cesarean section. Histology confirmed retained products/placenta in eight women only. None of them needed hysterectomy. Fibroid was diagnosed in one woman. Ultrasound was not very sensitive in differentiating the retained products from blood clots. Blood transfusion was necessary in a quarter of them. Conclusion: The prevalence of secondary postpartum hemorrhage was much less than reported in the literature. Risk factors were similar to other studies. Tendency to conservative management to avoid hysterectomy prevailed due to cultural reasons.