Uterine atonia refers to the loss of the uterus’s ability to contract after childbirth, which increases the risk of postpartum bleeding and puts a woman’s life at risk. This can occur more easily in women who are pregnant with twins, are under 20 years of age or older than 40, or are overweight.
It is important that risk factors for uterine atonia be identified so that prophylactic treatment can be applied to prevent complications during or after delivery, with oxytocin administration during the third phase of labor normally indicated to promote uterine contraction. and thus avoid slowness.
- Under normal conditions.
- After the placenta leaves.
- The uterus contracts to promote hemostamia and prevent excessive bleeding.
- However.
- When the uterus’s ability to contract is affected.
- The uterine vessels responsible for promoting hemostamia do not function properly.
- Which promotes bleeding.
Therefore, some of the situations that may interfere with the uterus’s ability to contract include:
In addition, women who have had uterine atonia in previous pregnancies have an increased risk of having another pregnancy in the future, and it is therefore important that this is communicated to the doctor so that prophylactic measures can be taken to prevent avenia.
The main complication associated with uterine atonia is postpartum hemorrhage, as uterine vessels cannot contract properly to promote hemostamia. Therefore, there may be a loss of large amounts of blood, which can endanger a woman’s life. Learn more about postpartum hemorrhage.
In addition to bleeding, uterine atonia may also be associated with other risks and complications such as kidney and liver failure, changes in the body clotting process, loss of fertility and hypovolemic shock, characterized by severe fluid and blood loss and progressive loss. Heart function, which results in a decrease in the amount of oxygen distributed by the body and can be life-threatening. Understand what hypovolemic shock is and how to identify it.
To avoid uterine atonia, it is recommended to administer oxytocin when the woman enters the third phase of delivery, which corresponds to the period of expulsion. Oxytocin is able to promote the contraction of the uterus, facilitating the expulsion of the baby and stimulating hemostamia.
In cases where oxytocin does not have the desired effect, surgery may be needed to prevent bleeding and treat uterine atony, and uterine plugging may be performed to reduce or stop bleeding, and the use of antibiotics and oxytocin is also recommended to ensure the outcome. .
In more severe situations, your doctor may recommend a total hysterectomy, in which your uterus and cervix are removed, and then bleeding can resolve. See how the hysterectomy is performed.