Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major complication of childbirth. Epidurals are often implicated in the onset of postpartum hemorrhages. Given the paradoxical data in the literature, the investigators wished to retrospectively evaluate the impact of epidurals on the risk of PPH, instrumental delivery and the occurrence of PPH risk factors. The investigators retrospectively analyzed 5753 records of patients who gave birth vaginally at Brugmann University Hospital between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. The primary objective was to assess whether epidurals pose a risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Secondly, the investigators assessed whether epidurals pose a greater risk of instrumentation of delivery and emergence of PPH risk factors.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
5,753
Data extraction from medical records
CHU Brugmann
Brussels, Belgium
Postpartum blood loss
Total blood loss is analyzed according to a standardized protocol: use of the calibrated field of the collection bag and of a precision scale to weigh the blood soaked compresses
Time frame: Up to 24 hours after the birth of the baby
PPH risk factors
Presence/absence of one or more PPH risk factors (yes/no) such as : uterine atony, placental abnormalities, obstetric trauma, and coagulopathy.
Time frame: Data extraction in medical files from January 1st 2020 till December 31th 2021
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