Understanding and managing postpartum hemorrhage: Insights from Kameelah Phillips, MD

In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Kameelah Phillips, MD, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, founder of Calla Women’s Health and Organon Health Partner, discusses the crisis related to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and how doctors may treat this condition in their patients.

PPH is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in the United States, where maternal health outcomes have fallen behind those of other developed nations. Phillips attributed the ongoing challenges with PPH to factors such as difficulty in accurately quantifying blood loss, lack of uniform progress in managing PPH, and a disproportionate impact on women in low-resource settings with limited access to health services.

Phillips highlighted the increased risks for women residing in maternity care deserts, defined as often rural regions where obstetrical care is sparse or unavailable. Approximately 2 million women in the United States live in these areas, which lack critical maternal health care services and screenings, increasing their vulnerability to complications such as PPH, preterm birth, and other severe maternal health issues.

According to Phillips, the current standard of care for PPH involves using uterotonic medications to slow bleeding. If these do not suffice, a balloon tamponade is often employed, or in some cases, surgical procedures to block blood flow to the uterus. However, she noted that guidance from leading organizations may vary, and medical training and protocols differ, resulting in inconsistent approaches to managing PPH.

For more effective PPH treatment, Phillips emphasized the importance of timely intervention. In her own practice, she has implemented the JADA system, a device designed to manage abnormal postpartum bleeding by using low-level vacuum technology to encourage natural uterine contraction. Clinical studies on the JADA system have shown a median control time for bleeding of only 3 minutes, with minimal adverse events.

Phillips concluded by stressing the need for preparation and communication with patients before delivery to optimize maternal health and ensure that both health care providers and patients are equipped to handle potential complications such as PPH.