Measurement of blood loss at childbirth and postpartum

ObjectiveTo accurately measure blood loss during childbirth in a developing country.MethodThe alkaline hematin technique was used to quantify blood lost during delivery and 24 h postpartum in 158 women in Pemba Island, Zanzibar.ResultWomen were found to lose less blood during childbirth and 24 h postpartum than previously reported. Compared with laboratory values, nurse–midwives approximated blood loss accurately (mean difference, i.e., mean underestimation by nurse–midwives, 4.90 mL); however, their imprecision was greater for higher laboratory values.ConclusionThis study may prompt further investigation, as no comparable data exist for developing countries where maternal mortality is high and severe anemia prevalent.