Is it possible to predict postpartum hemorrhage in advance?

Losing a dangerously high amount of blood following childbirth is called postpartum hemorrhage, and that means more than 500 ml. Postpartum hemorrhage can go from not present to life-threatening within minutes, and needs immediate medical intervention. Is it in any way possible to predict postpartum hemorrhage in advance? The prediction process may not be accurate when it comes to heavy bleeding after birth, but there are risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage. They are:

Being a multipara, and especially a grand multipara this means you have given birth to over five children. Giving birth to an unusually large baby. Giving birth to twins or more babies. A labor induced or augmented with the medication Pitocin. Use of magnesium sulfate during labor. A prolonged labor. An excess of amniotic fluid. General anesthesia during birth.

Some of these risk factors can be predicted before the onset of labor. If you are currently pregnant and fall into one of the categories that pose a higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage, you will not be able to prevent heavy bleeding... but you can ensure that you are in a location where you will be cared for properly if hemorrhage does occur.

While homebirth midwives and freestanding birth centers do often have treatment such as Pitocin on hand, women who need more serious intervention (like a blood transfusion, and sometimes even a hysterectomy) will greatly benefit from being inside a hospital. It is helpful to keep in mind that a hemorrhage can suddenly start in the days after birth as well, and not just immediately after delivering a baby.

It is not generally a concern, because it only happens in five percent of all births. But, due to the serious nature of a postpartum hemorrhage, it is good for every woman to be aware of this possibility in advance, consider it in their decision-making process about where to give birth.