Maternal complications in the immediate postpartum period

Abstract

Postpartum complications can lead to severe maternal morbidity and mortality. More than half of maternal deaths that occurred in Brazil occurred during the postpartum period. The main direct causes of maternal death are hypertension, hemorrhage, and sepsis. Embolisms are another complication which can occur postpartum and cause maternal deaths. For every one of these deaths, three near-miss events occur and many of these events occur in the postpartum period. Also, many complications may not cause severe morbidity, but cause suffering and prejudice for the women, the healthcare system, and the mother/baby interaction. It is important for obstetrical care teams to follow evidence-based recommendations to prevent or minimize postpartum complications. Recognizing women who are at higher risk of developing complications is also critical. When complications do occur, they must be diagnosed and treated quickly and adequately in order to avoid poor outcomes.