RHL

The WHO Reproductive Health Library (RHL) is a curated collection of high-quality evidence in reproductive health, published by the World Health Organization

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Guideline

WHO recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

Authors : WHO Publication date: 2012 Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) is commonly defined as a blood loss of 500 ml or more within 24 hours after birth. PPH is the leading cause of maternal mortality in low-income countries and the primary cause of nearly one quarter of all maternal deaths globally...

WHO recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

RHL Article

A health worker performs an ultrasound scan on a pregnant woman in Senegal.

WHO Recommendation on the use of ultrasound before 24 weeks gestation

Recommendation One ultrasound scan before 24 weeks of gestation (early ultrasound) is recommended for pregnant women to estimate gestational age, improve detection of fetal anomalies and multiple pregnancies, reduce induction of labour for post-term pregnancy, and improve a woman’s pregnancy...

WHO Recommendation on the use of ultrasound before 24 weeks gestation

RHL Article

Female doctor talking to pregnant woman sitting on bed in hospital

Amnioinfusion for third trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes

The effects of amnioinfusion for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) are limited by the small sample sizes of the included studies

Amnioinfusion for third trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes

RHL Article

A maternal and child health aide explains to a young pregnant woman the dosage schedule for her iron supplements

WHO recommendation on intermittent oral iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnant women

WHO Recommendation: oral iron and folic acid supplementation with 120 mg of elemental irona and 2800 µg (2.8 mg) of folic acid once weekly is recommended for Intermittent oral iron and folic acid supplementation with 120 mg of elemental irona and 2800 µg (2.8 mg) of folic acid once weekly is...

WHO recommendation on intermittent oral iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnant women

RHL Article

Health Systems and Organization of Care recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

Recommendations The use of formal protocols by health facilities for the prevention and treatment of PPH is recommended. The use of formal protocols for referral of women to a higher level of care is recommended for health facilities. The use of simulations of PPH treatment is recommended for pre-...

Health Systems and Organization of Care recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

RHL Article

WHO recommendations for the treatment of retained placenta

If the placenta is not expelled spontaneously, the use of additional oxytocin (10 IU, IV/IM) in combination with controlled cord traction is recommended. The use of ergometrine for the management of a retained placenta is not recommended as this may cause tetanic uterine contractions which may...

WHO recommendations for the treatment of retained placenta

RHL Article

WHO recommendation on the use of manoeuvers and other procedures for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

Uterine massage is recommended for the treatment of PPH. (Strong recommendation, verylow-quality evidence) If women do not respond to treatment using uterotonics, or if uterotonics are unavailable, the use of intrauterine balloon tamponade is recommended for the treatment of PPH due to uterine...

WHO recommendation on the use of manoeuvers and other procedures for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO Recommendation on the use of uterotonics for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

Intravenous oxytocin alone is the recommended uterotonic drug for the treatment of PPH. If intravenous oxytocin is unavailable, or if the bleeding does not respond to oxytocin, the use of intravenous ergometrine, oxytocin-ergometrine fixed dose, or a prostaglandin drug (including sublingual...

WHO Recommendation on the use of uterotonics for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO recommendations on prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in caesarean section

Oxytocin (IV or IM) is the recommended uterotonic drug for the prevention of PPH in caesarean section. Controlled cord traction is the recommended method for removal of the placenta in caesarean section

WHO recommendations on prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in caesarean section

RHL Article

WHO recommendation on the use of fluid replacement for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

The use of isotonic crystalloids is recommended in preference to the use of colloids for the initial intravenous fluid resuscitation of women with PPH.

WHO recommendation on the use of fluid replacement for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO recommendation on the use of tranexamic acid for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

The use of tranexamic acid is recommended for the treatment of PPH if oxytocin and other uterotonics fail to stop the bleeding or if it is thought that the bleeding may be partly due to trauma.

WHO recommendation on the use of tranexamic acid for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO recommendations on cord management and uterine massage for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage

In settings where skilled birth attendants are available, controlled cord traction (CCT) is recommended for vaginal births if the care provider and the parturient woman regard a small reduction in blood loss and a small reduction in the duration of the third stage of labour as important.

WHO recommendations on cord management and uterine massage for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage

Guideline

WHO recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

RHL Article

WHO Recommendation on the use of ultrasound before 24 weeks gestation

RHL Article

Amnioinfusion for third trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes

The effects of amnioinfusion for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) are limited by the small sample sizes of the included studies

Amnioinfusion for third trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes

Topics

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health

This section summaries of published systematic reviews on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. This includes information on: effective practice in the field of adolescent health, pregnancy prevention, management of adolescent pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS).

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General

Information, education and counselling

Adolescent pregnancy and contraception

STIs and HIV/AIDS in Adolescents

HIV & AIDS

This section includes RHL summaries of published systematic reviews on HIV/AIDS. This includes information on the prevention of HIV through clinical, behavioral and social interventions. It also includes RHL summaries on the management of HIV, including the use of antiretroviral drugs and adjuvant therapies, promoting treatment adherence, and managing HIV/AIDS-related complications.

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HIV prevention

Management of HIV/AIDS

Preconception, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care

This section includes RHL summaries of published systematic reviews on various aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, including preconception care, management of miscarriage, antenatal care, medical problems in pregnancy, disorders that might affect the unborn baby, complications arising during pregnancy, the induction of labour, and the care of the mother and newborn during and immediately after childbirth.

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Preconception care

Miscarriage

Antenatal care

Medical problems during pregnancy

Disorders affecting the unborn baby

Pregnancy complications

Induction of labour

Care during childbirth

Postpartum care

Fertility regulation

This section includes RHL summaries of published systematic reviews evaluating male and female methods of contraception (including emergency contraception), and clinical methods of induced abortion.

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Induced abortion

Contraception

Improving health system performance

This section contains RHL summaries of published systematic reviews on a wide variety of interventions and strategies to improve health system performance. This includes interventions to improve delivery of healthcare services, financial arrangements and leadership and governance arrangements. Also included are summaries prepared by the SUPPORT project.

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Delivery of healthcare services

Financial arrangements

Leadership and governance arrangements

Implementation strategies

Sexually transmitted infections

This section includes RHL summaries of published systematic reviews on the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. For RHL summaries related to HIV/AIDS, please see the separate HIV topic page.

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Diagnosis and detection of STIs

STI prevention

STI treatment

Gynaecology, infertility and cancers

This section includes RHL summaries of published systematic reviews on menopause, gynaecological problems, gynaecological cancers, and infertility.

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Infertility

Gynaecological cancers and disorders

Menstrual cycle disorders

Menopause

Assisted reproduction

Newborn health

This section contains RHL summaries of published systematic reviews on care of the newborn infant, newborn nutrition and feeding and management of unwell newborns.

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Care of the newborn infant

Newborn nutrition and feeding

Management of the unwell newborn

Sexual health, human rights and gender equity

This section includes summaries of systematic reviews relating to issues of sexual health, human rights and gender equity. It also contains summaries related to harmful practices and behaviours, such as female genital mutilation, sexual abuse, early marriage and gender-based violence.

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Sexual health and rights

Female Genital Mutilation

Gender-based violence

Sexual abuse

Early marriage

New in RHL

Guideline

WHO recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

RHL Article

WHO Recommendation on the use of ultrasound before 24 weeks gestation

RHL Article

Amnioinfusion for third trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes

RHL Article

WHO recommendation on intermittent oral iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnant women

RHL Article

Health Systems and Organization of Care recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

RHL Article

WHO recommendations for the treatment of retained placenta

RHL Article

WHO recommendation on the use of manoeuvers and other procedures for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO Recommendation on the use of uterotonics for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO recommendations on prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in caesarean section

RHL Article

WHO recommendation on the use of fluid replacement for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO recommendation on the use of tranexamic acid for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

RHL Article

WHO recommendations on cord management and uterine massage for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage

Guideline

WHO recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage

RHL Article

WHO Recommendation on the use of ultrasound before 24 weeks gestation

RHL Article

Amnioinfusion for third trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes

Topics

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