Reducing Maternal Mortality in the United States: Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the world. It accounts for approximately twenty-five percent of global maternal deaths and for approximately twelve percent of the United States’ maternal deaths (Evensen et al., 2017). The purpose of this research is to see if the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage is reduced when tranexamic acid is implemented alongside of active management of the third stage of labor. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent that has been effective in reducing blood loss in trauma patients, elective surgery, and menstrual blood loss. Tranexamic acid has been beneficial in reducing maternal mortality due to postpartum hemorrhage without any severe side effects. It is also inexpensive, simple to administer, and could easily be added to current protocols for preventing postpartum hemorrhage