Which plan is most effective in preventing postpartum hemorrhage?

Which plan is most effective in preventing postpartum hemorrhage?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Early ambulation
• C. Massage uterus
• D. Prophylactic oxytocin after delivery

Answer: (D)

Preventing postpartum hemorrhage centers on keeping the uterus firm after the placenta is delivered. The most common cause of hemorrhage is uterine atony—when the uterus fails to contract effectively, the vessels at the placental site continue to bleed. Administering a uterotonic agent like oxytocin right after delivery促 stimulates strong, ongoing contractions, helping the uterus stay firm and compress those vessels, which dramatically lowers the risk of massive bleeding. This proactive approach is more effective than waiting to react after bleeding starts. Doing nothing offers no mechanism to prevent atony. Early ambulation doesn’t address uterine tone. Uterine massage is an intervention used if the uterus is boggy after delivery to stimulate contraction, but it doesn’t serve as a preventive measure in all patients. Therefore, giving prophylactic oxytocin after delivery best prevents postpartum hemorrhage by maintaining uterine contraction.

Preventing postpartum hemorrhage centers on keeping the uterus firm after the placenta is delivered. The most common cause of hemorrhage is uterine atony—when the uterus fails to contract effectively, the vessels at the placental site continue to bleed. Administering a uterotonic agent like oxytocin right after delivery促 stimulates strong, ongoing contractions, helping the uterus stay firm and compress those vessels, which dramatically lowers the risk of massive bleeding.

This proactive approach is more effective than waiting to react after bleeding starts. Doing nothing offers no mechanism to prevent atony. Early ambulation doesn’t address uterine tone. Uterine massage is an intervention used if the uterus is boggy after delivery to stimulate contraction, but it doesn’t serve as a preventive measure in all patients. Therefore, giving prophylactic oxytocin after delivery best prevents postpartum hemorrhage by maintaining uterine contraction.