CAN POSTPARTUM BLOOD LOSS BE PREDICTED VIA UTERINE ARTERY DOPPLER ANALYSIS?

Abstract

Aim: Postpartum bleeding is one of the most important causes of maternal mortality. Herein, we attempted to predict hemoglobin (Hb) decrease by observing uterine artery doppler indices during the early postpartum period.
 Materials and Method: The study was designed as a prospective cohort study. Pregnant women who visited Gazi University Hospital for normal vaginal delivery between 09/01/2018–09/01/2019 were included, and no risk factors were included.
 Results: A total of 85 patients were included with the following parameters: average age at birth, 28.4 ± 4.6 years; average gestational age at birth, 38.83 ± 1.21 weeks. No significant correlation was observed among Hb, hematocrit (Htc), WBC, and other changes in PLT and mean uterine artery systole/diastole (S/D), resistance index (RI), and PI values. Furthermore, no statistically significant relationship was observed among uterus volume, mean uterine artery S/D, PI, and RI. Similarly, no significant relationship was observed among uterus volume, Hb, Htc, WBC, and PLT differences. Upon dividing primigravid and multigravida, the mean uterine artery PI median values did not differ according to the groups.
 Conclusion: No correlation was observed between possible Hb decrease and resistance in the uterine artery. At the same time, other factors that may affect were evaluated (uterus dimensions, gravida, parity, whether there was membrane rupture, delivery times, lacerations during delivery, episiotomy, and birth weight) and no correlation was noted among these factors.