Postpartum haemorrhage is the highest cause of maternal deaths globally and is a major concern. To raise issues and ensure prevention and treatment for all women October 5th has been chosen as World PPH day. Dr Jenny Hall, MATFLIX editor, presents the reasons for the need to focus on PPH as a widespread issue.
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), severe or excessive bleeding after birth, remains a global concern, particularly in low and middle income countries. PPH accounts for around 20% of maternal mortality worldwide. In comparison, the UK obstetric haemorrhage remains a cause of around 5% of maternal deaths, according to the most recent MBRACCE report. The latest National Maternal and Perinatal Audit pointed to a rate of around 3.41% for blood loss of greater than 1500ml, though this may be more as some results were missing.
Globally in recent years the Maternal mortality rate has fallen only slightly with less of a fall in low and middle income countries. With PPH as the highest cause of maternal deaths globally, knowledge that PPH is preventable and treatable with the right actions, and a target of reducing these deaths in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, concern led to the development of A Roadmap to Combat Postpartum Haemorrhage between 2023 and 2030 by the World Health Organisation. Since that time global organisations, including the International confederation of midwives (ICM), the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) and others have combined forces to address the problem. This resulted in the creation of World PPH day on October 5th with the aim to stand together to give the message:
The ICM state that the purpose of the day will be to:
- Raise awareness of PPH as a leading, preventable cause of maternal death.
- Honour the lives lost each year to this condition and amplify the voices of survivors and their families.
- Mobilise governments and funders to prioritise resources, policies, and training for PPH prevention and treatment.
- Highlight solutions that already exist, from uterotonics and tranexamic acid to bundled treatment approaches and skilled midwifery care.
- Hold ourselves accountable by reviewing progress each year and calling for action where gaps remain.
In addition on the day the WHO, working with FIGO and ICM, released new Consolidated guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage for global use. A call for governments and health agencies to note the content is also made. Each year the day will focus on an appropriate theme in order to meet the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goal agenda.
It is to be hoped that the increased focus on how death from PPH, as well as the debilitation caused by major bleeding episodes, may be treated and prevented will make a difference to women and families in every country.
Dr Jenny Hall
October 2025