Hemorrhagic States during Pregnancy

Abstract

ALTHOUGH uterine hemorrhage is one of the major complications of childbirth and a leading cause of maternal death, the underlying causes have been studied in detail only during the last few years, and knowledge of this subject is still fragmentary. Uterine hemorrhage is said to be due most often to atony, — that is, failure of the uterine musculature to contract immediately post partum, — which may result from local pathologic changes such as the presence of intramural fibromyomas or retained placental fragments, from overdistention of the uterus or from excessive anesthesia, shock or general debility; relatively fewer cases are . . .