One of the most common causes of maternal death worldwide is postpartum
haemorrhage (PPH). It is estimated that severe postpartum hemorrhage occurs in
about 11% of women having a living newborn. It is believed that the incidence is
much higher in developing countries, where most of the women are unable to
have access to a birth assisted by trained personnel and there is not an active
management of the third stage of labour.
Key messages
􀃎 Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the most common causes of maternal
death in low and middle-income countries.
􀃎 There is insufficient evidence to show that the addition of misoprostol is
superior to the combination of oxytocin and ergometrine for the treatment of
primary PPH.
􀃎 Misoprostol is potentially a very useful intervention for treatment of PPH but
more research is needed to assess the effect on severe maternal morbidities
outcomes, as well as its side-effect profile.