Blood flow changes in pelvic vessels associated with the application of an abdominal compression belt in healthy postpartum women

Abstract

Introduction Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) accounts for a high proportion of maternal mortality and morbidity throughout the world. A uterine compression belt which has been developed recently represents a very low tech, low cost solution in managing postpartum haemorrhage. Objectives To evaluate the blood flow changes in pelvic vessels following application of the postpartum haemorrhage compression belt (Laerdal Global Health, Stavanger, Norway). Methods The sample included healthy postpartum women within 6 hours of vaginal delivery. The study was performed at Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. PPH compression belt was applied on the lower abdomen in a supine position with a slight lateral tilt. Patient’s pulse, blood pressure and Doppler indices (RI, PI and PFV) of the uterine, internal iliac and femoral arteries were measured using transabdominal Doppler ultrasonography. Lower limb oxygen saturation was also measured. Measurements were obtained by connecting the subjects to a multimonitor throughout the study period of 20 minutes. Median RI, PI and PFV was calculated and comparisons were made between the baseline and after belt application at 10 and 20 minutes. Results A total of 20 healthy women were included and the mean time from delivery to study inclusion was 2.5 (range 0.5–5.0) hours. There were no adverse outcomes or altered vital signs noted among participants. Overall there were no significant changes in the internal iliac, uterine and femoral artery blood flow after application of the compression belt. Conclusions There were no significant changes in the internal iliac, uterine and femoral artery blood flow after application of the compression belt. This preliminary study only shows that the application of the PPH compression belt has no apparent adverse changes in the iliac, uterine and femoral artery blood flow in postpartum mothers.