Loss of more than 500 mL of blood after delivery is termed?

• A. Pelvic inflammatory disease
• B. Miscarriage
• C. Uterine atony
• D. Postpartum hemorrhage

Answer: (D)

Postpartum hemorrhage is the term used for excessive blood loss after delivery. After a vaginal birth, normal blood loss is up to about 500 mL, so losing more than 500 mL fits the threshold for postpartum hemorrhage. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the pelvic organs and isn’t defined by a single post-delivery blood loss amount. A miscarriage is pregnancy loss before viability, not after delivery. Uterine atony describes the uterus failing to contract and compress vessels, which is a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage, but the event itself is categorized by the blood loss amount, not by atony alone.