The Effectiveness of using Plastic Film Collector Bag for the Measurement Postpartum Blood Loss

Abstract

Background and objectives: The aim of  this investigation  is to study the effectiveness of  using  plastic film collector bag to measure postpartum blood loss, as compared to the conventional visual estimation.

Methods: Participants were 121 pregnant women attending the antenatal care and delivery clinic at Tha Uthen hospital, Amphoe Tha Uthen, NakhonPhanom province without complications during pregnancy in February to July 2014. The study instruments consisted of a plastic film collector bag, measuring cup for blood volume  and recording format for pregnant women. Pair t-test was used for comparing the difference of blood loss with chi-square employed for calculating the proportion of pregnant women exhibiting severe blood loss record.

Results: Postpartum blood loss collected via a plastic collecting bag was statistically significant  more  than the estimating via visual measuring (p<0.001). In addition, the proportion of mothers displaying blood loss of more than 300 ml and 500 ml as recorded using the plastic film collector bag was statistically significant higher when compared with the conventional visual assessment (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The plastic film collector bag was more effective in postpartum blood loss assessment than visual estimation. This practice should be applied in routine delivery care to monitor postpartum hemorrhage.