Abstract

UTERINE ATONY, RISK FACTORS NONSURGICAL MANAGEMENT, AND UTERINE TAMPONADE

Dr. Israa Adil Dawood Al-Shaboot*, Dr. Raghad Yas Khudhair Mamoori and Dr. Halah Basheer Hamdi

ABSTRACT

Uterine atony is defined as failure of myometrium to contract and retract following delivery (Cunningham et al., 2005). Powerful and effective myometrial contractions are vital to arrest bleeding. Uterine atony in contrary, the uterus is soft and „boggy‟ with presence of excessive bleeding from genital tract. A prompt recognition followed by uterine massage and administration of uterotonic agents often arrest the bleeding. However, in the presence of already well contracted uterus, any persistent bleeding should prompt exploration for other causes of postpartum haemorrhage such as retained placental fragments or genital tract injuries.

Keywords: Uterine atony, oxytocic therapy, postpartum hemorrhage.