O72.1: Other immediate postpartum haemorrhage
The uterus or womb sits in the pelvis and is pear-shaped. The narrower part extends downward into the vagina and is called the cervix. When a woman is pregnant, the child grows in her uterus. The placenta forms in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. The placenta consists of cells from the mother and cells from the unborn child. The placenta supplies the unborn child with nutrients and oxygen via the umbilical cord.
Strong contractions occur after the birth of the child. These contractions can cause the placenta to detach from the wall of the womb. The placenta is then birthed as afterbirth. It is normal that some blood is lost at this point, since blood vessels open up when the placenta detaches from the womb.
The womb contracts after the placenta has birthed. The blood vessels close up as a result. If the womb muscles do not contract strongly enough, there may be very heavy bleeding.
If you lose a lot of blood, you can feel dizzy and lose consciousness.
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