Prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.

PPH guideline Jan. 2012 Page 1 of 5 Introduction The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage occurs in 5% of deliveries worldwide and is the leading cause of maternal mortality. 1,2 Worldwide PPH remains the single most important cause of maternal death. 4 In industrialized countries postpartum hemorrhage remains a concern although it is no longer a leading cause of maternal death. In Canada, there have been 5 deaths directly related to postpartum hemorrhage between 1999 and 2004. In Alberta in 2006, 13.4% of hospital deliveries (live births) recorded postpartum hemorrhage.