Some mothers often experience hemorrhage during childbirth, and at times, it becomes necessary to administer blood transfusions, and there are instances when a mother bleeds so much that it leads to life-threatening complications.
In testimonies shared by parents interviewed by mamedecine.com, they described their experiences, explaining what happened to them and tried to give the reasons for what they believed caused it.
One of them, referred to as MUNDERERE shares her experience: “I gave birth and then started feeling weak and losing consciousness. When I regained my senses, I saw I was in terrible condition with blood injections. I was in a very bad condition, at the point of dying.”
Another called Melanie, shared her experience of losing her daughter during childbirth. She wasn’t satisfied by the explanations from the doctor gave her to be the case.
“I think my child was cursed. How could they have had no problems during pregnancy, only to die shortly after birth?” says Melanie
After speaking with these mothers, the journalist from mamedecine.com reached out to Dr. Emmanuel NDIKURYAYO, a gynecologist at MBC-Kigali hospital, who provided a detailed explanation about hemorrhage during childbirth and offered advice on how to manage it.
Dr. NDIKURYAYO explained: “This issue should not be attributed to witchcraft, as it is one of the common complications women face after giving birth. It is the leading cause of maternal death globally.”
He continued: “Normally, the uterus without a baby is like a small thing you can hold in your hand. Now, a baby weighing 3 or 4 kilograms or even more, as well as the amniotic fluid, are all within that space. There are the blood vessels connect the uterus to the placenta, which supplies blood to the baby. Once the baby is born, the placenta follows and the blood vessels break. In this moment, it’s like water flowing.”
He added: “The reason the bleeding stops is because the uterus should be contract and just becoming like a stone. These make the blood vessels that were carrying blood to the placenta, halting the bleeding. Sometimes, the uterus cannot contract or harden enough to stop the bleeding. This is why, after childbirth, the midwives often massage the new mother’s belly to help the uterus harden. If it turns into a stone-like state, the bleeding stops. But if the uterus is unable to contract, the bleeding continues, which can lead to the mother losing too much blood and potentially dying.”
Who is at risk of hemorrhage during childbirth?
Dr. NDIKURYAYO Emmanuel underlines who are at higher risk of experiencing hemorrhage during childbirth due to specific conditions.
“Although all women may bleed, some are more at risk. These include women with an over-distended uterus, which happens when they carry large babies (over 4 kilograms), have twins or triplets, or even more, a condition known as ‘multiple gestation.’ Others are those who have excessive amniotic fluid, which also stretches the uterus. All of these women are more likely to experience excessive bleeding.” Says Dr Ndikuryayo
He continues: “Women who have had multiple pregnancies are also at risk because the uterus becomes weaker. The uterus can be compared to an elastic material that stretches and loses its ability to contract after repeated use. After five or more births, it becomes more difficult for the uterus to contract properly, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding.”
Other factors that can weaken the uterus
Dr. NDIKURYAYO also mentioned that prolonged labor contractions can decline the uterus. If a woman has difficulty going into labor and requires medication to stimulate enough contractions, it can strain the uterus and increase the risk of bleeding. Additionally, infections can also make the uterus weaker, leading to the hemorrhage.
He also warned against the use of traditional medicines applied to the abdominal, saying: “Sometimes a mother may apply herbs or leaves to her belly, which can cause the uterus to contract too much, leading to complications that can result in hemorrhage or even harm the baby.” Says Dr Ndikuryayo
Why every woman should give birth in a medical facility?
Dr. NDIKURYAYO emphasized that every woman should give birth in a healthcare facility: “We encourage everyone to give birth in a medical setting because there are planned interventions to help the uterus regain the ability to contract after delivery.” Says Dr Ndikuryayo
“One of the interventions is the administration of oxytocin after childbirth to help the uterus contract. We also provide abdominal massage to help strengthen the uterus. Additionally, we prevent the uterus from becoming too relaxed by actively managing the delivery.” Adds Dr Ndikuryayo
A study conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) on health and living conditions in 2014/2015 revealed that 210 mothers died due to childbirth complications. By 2019/2020, the number of maternal deaths had decreased to 203.
MUKAMUSONI Fulgencie
