Objective:
To analyze hemorrhage at vaginal delivery using hemoglobin and hematocrit indices.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study of 328 vaginal deliveries divided into spontaneous delivery with or without episiotomy and forceps delivery. The sample was randomly stratified by type of vaginal delivery. Data were collected at admission for delivery, hospital discharge and postpartum return visit.
Results:
There were 122 (37.2%) deliveries without episiotomy, 147 (44.8%) with episiotomy, and 59 (18.0%) with forceps delivery and episiotomy. Hemoglobin values between admission for delivery and discharge ranged from -5.9 g/dl to 0.7 g/dl. Hemoglobin reduction was significantly higher in women having forceps delivery than in those with spontaneous deliveries, with and without episiotomy (p=0.0133 and p<0.0001, respectively). Hemorrhage was greater in the forceps delivery group than in the other groups.
Conclusion:
The analysis of hemorrhage at vaginal delivery by using hemoglobin and hematocrit indices showed variation among the three types of vaginal delivery studied. There was greater hemorrhage with forceps delivery and less hemorrhage with spontaneous delivery. In women with forceps delivery, postpartum indices were lower than those at hospital admission.
Hemorrhage; Postpartum hemorrhage; Parturition; Obstetrical nursing; Hematocrit; Erythrocyte indices
