Global Health Agencies Issue New Guidelines to Reduce Deaths from Postpartum Hemorrhage

The World Health Organization, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the International Confederation of Midwives introduced new guidelines last week focused on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The recommendations are based on findings from an international study, published Oct. 5 in The Lancet, that evaluated indicators of serious postpartum bleeding among more than 300,000 women in 23 countries.

The consolidated guidelines include 51 evidence-based recommendations spanning prevention, diagnosis, treatment, supportive care and health system interventions for PPH. Of these, 20 are new or updated, while 31 integrate existing guidance.

Notably, the guidelines emphasize earlier detection, urging clinicians to act when blood loss reaches 300 mL or when abnormal vital signs appear. Following PPH diagnosis, the organizations recommend the immediate deployment of the MOTIVE bundle, as well as surgery or blood transfusion in rare cases where bleeding continues.

Training resources accompany the guidelines to help frontline health workers adopt these evidence-based interventions.