There is no national consensus on the definitions of the stages of obstetric hemorrhage. However, there is consensus that clinicians should create common terminology at the institutional level, and that care providers should communicate and manage hemorrhage in terms of stages. This table shows an example of such a stage-based approach to obstetric hemorrhage, with criteria for assigning the various stages.
References:
- Perioperative care of the pregnant woman. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Association of Women's Health Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, 2011.
Modified from: Lyndon A, Lagrew D, Shields L, et al. Improving Health Care Response to Obstetric Hemorrhage (California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative Toolkit to Transform Maternity Care). Developed under contract #11-10006 with the California Department of Public Health; Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division; Published by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, 2015. Available at:
www.cmqcc.org (accessed on November 18, 2016).