1Ministry of Health/Al-Numan Teaching Hospital. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1665-4850
2FICOG. Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Medicine, Al-Iraqia University, IRAQ. Email: ekhlas_Hussien@aliraqia.edu.iq ORCHID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8370-8201
3College of Medicine, University of Fallujah, Al-Anbar, Iraq. Email: Rajaaabd86.ra@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9909-1856
4FICOG. Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Medicine, Al-Iraqia University, IRAQ. Email: israa_hasan@aliraqia.edu.iq ORCHID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9693-2819
Background: Particularly in low- and middle-income nations, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) continues to be a major global cause of maternal morbidity and avoidable mortality. The distribution of related factors and underlying causes of PPH in Iraqi tertiary settings is poorly documented, despite advancements in obstetric care.
Objective: To describe the distribution of potential risk factors and causes among women diagnosed with postpartum hemorrhage attending Baghdad Medical City, and to assess the associations between selected sociodemographic and obstetric variables.
Methods: A cross-sectional study has been carried out in Baghdad Medical City in Baghdad, Iraq, from December 15, 2025, to February 15, 2026. A total of 150 women with primary or secondary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) were recruited through successive sampling. Data were acquired through structured interviews and medical record reviews. The variables were sociodemographic parameters, obstetric history, factors related to the mother and fetus, and known causes of PPH according to the 4Ts categorization. Using SPSS version 26, we conducted an analysis of the data. Descriptive data were presented as frequencies and percentages, and chi-square or Fisher's exact test was utilized to evaluate relationships when relevant. "Statistically significant" was defined as a p-value less than 0.05.
Results: Fifty percent of the people who took part were between the ages of 26 and 35, and fifty-six percent lived in rural areas. A high number of pregnancies (3 to 6) was reported in 52.7% of cases, and 53.3% had 4 to 6 live births. There was a strong link between maternal age and gravidity and parity (p<0.001). Anemia (44.7%) and hypertension (34.7%) were the most common health problems that mothers had. Placenta previa (44.7%) and placental abruption (34.7%) were prevalent pre-existing conditions. There were vaginal deliveries for 58.7% of the index deliveries. Polyhydramnios (47.3%) and fetal macrosomia (38.0%) were common problems with the fetus. There was a strong link between the mother's education level and the number of pregnancies (p=0.036).
Conclusions: In this tertiary setting, PPH cases often had multiple births, short birth intervals, anemia, and problems with the placenta. Improving antenatal screening for anemia, counseling on spacing births, and being ready for bleeding during both vaginal and cesarean deliveries may all help mothers have better outcomes.
Keywords: Postpartum hemorrhage, Risk factors, Maternal morbidity, Placenta previa, Anemia, Obstetric complications
How to cite this article: Gburi MS, Hussein EA, Mohammed RA and Hassan IT, Risk Factors and Causes of Postpartum Hemorrhage among Women Attending the Maternity Department at Baghdad Medical City. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(12s): 800-809. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.12s.94
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None