Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Cesarean Section: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Globally, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal deaths. However, in many low and middle-income countries, information on the magnitude of and risk factors for PPH is scarce. Understanding the relative contributions of different risk factors for PPH is important. We assessed the incidence of and risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage among women who had a cesarean section in Iran.

Between March 2021 and March 2022, a prospective cohort study was conducted at a university-affiliated general hospital for women who had a cesarean section in Iran. We used Spearman’s correlation for the variables associated with PPH.

Among the 300 women, the overall incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was 15.7%. Risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage among deliveries by cesarean section were: body-mass index, previous PPH, preoperative anemia, and preoperative hypofibrinogenemia.

The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage in the cesarean section was high. Extra vigilance in all women with cesarean section could address the risk factors identified.