Risk of severe maternal morbidity associated with in vitro fertilisation: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between in vitro fertilisation IVF and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and to explore the role of multiple pregnancy as an intermediate factor. DESIGN: Population-based cohort-nested case-control study. SETTING: Six French regions in 2012/13. POPULATION: Cases were 2540 women with SMM according to the EPIMOMS definition; controls were 3651 randomly selected women who gave birth without SMM. METHODS: Analysis of the associations between IVF and SMM with multivariable logistic regression models, differentiating IVF with autologous oocytes (IVF-AO) from IVF with oocyte donation (IVF-OD). The contribution of multiple pregnancy as an intermediate factor was assessed by path analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severe maternal morbidity overall and SMM according to its main underlying causal condition and by severity (near misses). RESULTS: The risk of SMM was significantly higher in women with IVF (adjusted OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.8-3.3). The risk of SMM was significantly higher with IVF-AO, for all-cause SMM (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.7), for near misses (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.8), and for intra/postpartum haemorrhages (aOR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.2). The risk of SMM was significantly higher with IVF-OD, for all-cause SMM (aOR = 18.6, 95% CI 4.4-78.5), for near misses (aOR = 18.1, 95% CI 4.0-82.3), for SMM due to hypertensive disorders (aOR = 16.7, 95% CI 3.3-85.4) and due to intra/postpartum haemorrhages (aOR = 18.0, 95% CI 4.2-77.8). Path-analysis estimated that 21.6% (95% CI 10.1-33.0) of the risk associated with IVF-OD was mediated by multiple pregnancy, and 49.6% (95% CI 24.0-75.1) of the SMM risk associated with IVF-AO. CONCLUSION: The risk of SMM is higher in IVF pregnancies after adjustment for confounders. Exploratory results suggest higher risks among women with IVF-OD; however, confidence intervals were wide, so this finding needs to be confirmed. A large part of the association between IVF-AO and SMM appears to be mediated by multiple pregnancy. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: The risk of severe maternal morbidity is higher in IVF-conceived pregnancies than in pregnancies conceived by other means.

[Maternal mortality among women with Marfan syndrome or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in France, 2001-2012]. / Mortalité maternelle chez les patientes atteintes de syndromes de Marfan ou d'Ehlers-Danlos vasculaire en France, 2001­2012.

OBJECTIVE: To describe maternal deaths in France associated with Marfan's syndrome or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective descriptive study based on data from the national confidential enquiry into maternal deaths, in France, during 2001-2012. Characteristics of the patients, their pregnancies and details of their deaths were analysed. The specific maternal mortality ratio by Marfan's syndrome or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was estimated. RESULTS: Among 973 maternal deaths that occurred during the study period, five (0.4%) had a Marfan's syndrome (n=3) or a vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (n=2), confirmed or suspected. The maternal mortality ratio due to Marfan's syndrome or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome between 2001 and 2012 was 0.04/100,000 live births (IC 95% [0.011-0.2]). Three maternal deaths were caused by aortic dissections and two by other arterial ruptures. The deaths have occurred after 37 weeks of pregnancy for 4 patients, and at fifteen days of post-partum for one patient. The median age of death was 30 years. Three patients were nulliparous. Marfan's syndrome and vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were not identified before the death of these five patients. CONCLUSION: Five patients with, or suspected to have, Marfan's syndrome or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were identified. Early diagnosis of these syndromes in pregnant women before life threatening events is very important, especially to refer them to appropriate care.

Invasive therapies for primary postpartum haemorrhage: a population-based study in France.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics, management, and outcomes of women undergoing invasive therapies for primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). DESIGN: A population-based observational study. SETTING: All 106 maternity units of six French regions. POPULATION: A total of 146 781 women delivering between 2004 and 2006. METHODS: Prospective identification of women with PPH managed with invasive therapies, including uterine suture, pelvic vessel ligation, arterial embolisation, and hysterectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of use and failure rate of invasive therapies, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: An invasive therapy was used in 296 of 6660 women with PPH (4.4%, 95% CI 4.0-5.0), and in 0.2% of deliveries (95% CI 0.18-0.23). A hysterectomy was performed in 72/6660 women with PPH (1.1%, 95% CI 0.8-1.4%), and in 0.05% of deliveries (95% CI 0.04-0.06). A conservative invasive therapy was used in 262 women, including 183 (70%) who underwent arterial embolisation and 79 (30%) who had conservative surgery as the first-line therapy. Embolisation was more frequently used after vaginal than caesarean delivery, and when arterial embolisation was available on site. The failure rate of conservative invasive therapies was 41/262 (15.6%, 95% CI 11.5-20.6) overall, and was higher after surgical than after embolisation procedures, in particular for vaginal deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: Both maternal mortality as a result of obstetric haemorrhage and the rate of invasive therapies used for PPH are high in France. These findings suggest flaws in the initial management of PPH and/or the inadequate use of invasive procedures. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Maternal mortality as a result of haemorrhage and the rate of invasive therapies used for PPH are high in France.

Maternal mortality among women with sickle-cell disease in France, 1996-2009.

OBJECTIVE: To describe maternal mortality among women with sickle-cell disease in France. STUDY DESIGN: Data from the national confidential enquiry into maternal deaths and from reference centres for sickle-cell disease were examined to identify women with this disease who died in France during 1996-2009. The maternal mortality ratio among women with sickle-cell disease was estimated and compared with the ratio in the general population. Characteristics of these women and their pregnancies and circumstances of their deaths were examined in detail. RESULTS: Fifteen maternal deaths occurred among an estimated 3300 live births to women with sickle-cell disease, for a maternal mortality ratio of 454 per 100000 live births (95% CI [254; 750]), versus 9.4/100000 in the general population. Ten women were homozygous (SS) for sickle-cell disease, and five were composite heterozygotes. The episode leading to death appeared in the antepartum period for seven women (47%). Two women died of septic shock during pregnancy, one at 6 weeks, the other at 24 weeks. The other 13 women (87%) died postpartum. Thirteen deaths were directly attributable to sickle-cell disease. The other two maternal deaths, both considered direct obstetric causes, were due to amniotic fluid embolism and septic shock after post-amniocentesis chorioamnionitis. The expert committee on maternal mortality judged seven of these 15 deaths (47%) to be avoidable. CONCLUSION: Sickle-cell disease is responsible for a major excess risk of maternal death in France, due mainly to direct complications of the disease.

[Frequency, causes and risk factors of postpartum haemorrhage: a population-based study in 106 French maternity units]. / Incidence, étiologies et facteurs de risque de l'hémorragie du post-partum : étude en population dans 106 maternités françaises.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence, to describe the aetiology and to identify the risk factors of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Prospective study conducted in 106 French maternity units of six perinatal networks between December 2004 and November 2006. PPH was defined by a blood loss superior to 500 mL or necessitating an examination of the uterus, or a peripartum haemoglobin drop superior to 2 g/dL. Severe PPH was defined by at least one of these criteria : peripartum haemoglobin drop superior or equal to 4 g/dL, embolization, conservative surgical procedure, hysterectomy, transfusion, transfer to intensive care or death. RESULTS: The incidence of PPH was 6.4% [CI 95% 6.3-6.5] with variations between maternity units from 1.5% to 22.0%; incidence of severe PPH was 1.7% [CI 95% 1.6-1.8] with variations between units from 0% to 4%. Atony was the main aetiology of PPH, whatever the mode of delivery and severity. The risk factors identified were those classically described in the literature. CONCLUSION: In these six French perinatal networks, in 2005-2006, the PPH profile was characterized by an incidence of severe forms higher than previous population-based estimates from other countries. This suggests a more frequent aggravation of PPH and the implication of inadequate PPH management.

[Maternal mortality in France, 2007-2009]. / Épidémiologie de la mortalité maternelle en France, 2007-2009.

To monitor the maternal mortality which is an indicator of the quality of obstetric and intensive care, France has a specific approach since 1996. Recently linkages have been introduced to improve the inclusion of cases. Here are the results for the 2007 to 2009 period. The identification of the pregnancy associated deaths is lying on different data bases that are medical causes of death, birth register and hospital discharges. To document the cases, confidential enquiries are conducted by two assessors on the field; a committee of medical experts analyses the documents, select the underlying cause and assess the quality of health care. Two hundred and fifty-four obstetric deaths were identified from 2007 to 2009 giving the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 10.3 per 100,000 births. The maternal age and nationality, the region of deaths are associated to the MMR. The haemorrhages are the leading cause but their ratio is 1.9 versus 2.5 previously; this decrease results from the postpartum haemorrhage by uterine atony going down. The suboptimal care are still frequent (60%) but slightly less than before. The linkage method should be pursued. Maternal mortality is rather stable in France. We may reach more reduction as deaths due to atony decreased as suboptimal care did.

[French hospital discharge database: data production, validity, and origins of errors in the field of severe maternal morbidity]. / Le programme de médicalisation du système d'information (PMSI) - processus de production des données, validité et sources d'erreurs dans le domaine de la morbidité maternelle sévère.

BACKGROUND: The organization of obstetric care in France brings all women in contact with the hospital system. Thus, hospital discharge data from the Program of Medicalization of the Information System (PMSI) constitute a potentially valuable source of information, particularly regarding rare events such as severe maternal morbidity. These data cover a large population but their quality has not been assessed in that field. Our objectives were to study the processes of production and the validity of PMSI data related to severe maternal morbidity. METHODS: The study was conducted in four French tertiary teaching hospitals (Caen, Cochin [AP-HP, Paris], Grenoble and Lille). First, the organization of each step of the medical information process -production, formatting, verification and processing- was detailed in each center with a standardized form. Second, the validation study was based on the comparison of data related to severe maternal morbid events in the PMSI from these centers for 2006 and 2007, with the content of medical records which constituted the gold standard. Indicators of sensitivities and positive predictive values of PMSI were calculated. RESULTS: The processes of PMSI data production showed major differences between the four centers. In hospital discharge data, diagnoses (eclampsia and pulmonary embolism) had a high proportion of false-positives (68%). Inversely, procedures (four procedures for management of severe haemorrhage) had less than 1% of false-positives, but a low sensitivity with 37% false-negatives which could be corrected in 95%. Regarding intensive care provision, all indicators of hospital data quality were very high. In addition, the validity of hospital data in centers 1 and 2 was higher for all events. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneity of the process of PMSI data production is associated with a variable quality of these data. Intensive care provision can be used in the PMSI, as well as procedures after correction. For diagnoses, the quality of the PMSI data is better in centers having both computerized medical records and steps for verification of medical information.

What about the mothers? An analysis of maternal mortality and morbidity in perinatal health surveillance systems in Europe.

OBJECTIVE: To assess capacity to develop routine monitoring of maternal health in the European Union using indicators of maternal mortality and severe morbidity. DESIGN: Analysis of aggregate data from routine statistical systems compiled by the EURO-PERISTAT project and comparison with data from national enquiries. SETTING: Twenty-five countries in the European Union and Norway. POPULATION: Women giving birth in participating countries in 2003 and 2004. METHODS: Application of a common collection of data by selecting specific International Classification of Disease codes from the 'Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium' chapter. External validity was assessed by reviewing the results of national confidential enquiries and linkage studies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal mortality ratio, with distribution of specific obstetric causes, and severe acute maternal morbidity, which included: eclampsia, surgery and blood transfusion for obstetric haemorrhage, and intensive-care unit admission. RESULTS: In 22 countries that provided data, the maternal mortality ratio was 6.3 per 100,000 live births overall and ranged from 0 to 29.6. Under-ascertainment was evident from comparisons with studies that use enhanced identification of deaths. Furthermore, routine cause of death registration systems in countries with specific systems for audit reported higher maternal mortality ratio than those in countries without audits. For severe acute maternal morbidity, 16 countries provided data about at least one category of morbidity, and only three provided data for all categories. Reported values ranged widely (from 0.2 to 1.6 women with eclampsia per 1000 women giving birth and from 0.2 to 1.0 hysterectomies per 1000 women). CONCLUSIONS: Currently available data on maternal mortality and morbidity are insufficient for monitoring trends over time in Europe and for comparison between countries. Confidential enquiries into maternal deaths are recommended.

Association between fibrinogen level and severity of postpartum haemorrhage: secondary analysis of a prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine whether the fibrinogen level at diagnosis of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is associated with the severity of bleeding. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a population-based study in 106 French maternity units identifying cases of PPH prospectively. PPH was defined by a blood loss exceeding 500 ml during the 24 h after delivery or a peripartum haemoglobin decrease of more than 20 g litre(-1). This analysis includes 738 women with PPH after vaginal delivery. Fibrinogen levels were compared in patients whose PPH worsened and became severe and those whose PPH remained non-severe. Severe PPH was defined as haemorrhage by occurrence of one of the following events: peripartum haemoglobin decrease ≥ 40 g litre(-1), transfusion of concentrated red cells, arterial embolization or emergency surgery, admission to intensive care, or death. RESULTS: The mean fibrinogen concentration at diagnosis was 4.2 g litre(-1) [standard deviation (sd)=1.2 g litre(-1)] among the patients without worsening and 3.4 g litre(-1) (sd=0.9 g litre(-1)) (P<0.001) in the group whose PPH became severe. The fibrinogen level was associated with PPH severity independently of other factors [adjusted odds ratio=1.90 (1.16-3.09) for fibrinogen between 2 and 3 g litre(-1) and 11.99 (2.56-56.06) for fibrinogen <2 g litre(-1)]. CONCLUSIONS: The fibrinogen level at PPH diagnosis is a marker of the risk of aggravation and should serve as an alert to clinicians.

[Practices for management of grave postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal delivery: a population-based study in 106 French maternity units]. / Prise en charge des hémorragies graves du post-partum après un accouchement par voie basse : étude en population dans 106 maternités françaises.

OBJECTIVES: Describe management of severe postpartum haemorrhages (PPH) and its compliance with national guidelines and identify determinants of non-optimal care. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Population-based cohort study of 1379 women with severe PPH due to uterine atony after vaginal delivery, conducted in 106 French maternity units between December 2004 and November 2006. Severe PPH was defined by a peripartum haemoglobin drop of 4g/dL or more, blood loss of 1000 mL or more, hysterectomy, or transfer to intensive care for PPH. The frequency of each recommended procedure for the management of PPH was described. Associations between quality of care and both individual and institutional characteristics were assessed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Management of severe PPH was not optimal in 65.9% of cases. The recommended components that were applied least often were administration of second line uterotonics, and transfusion of patients with a low haemoglobin. After adjustment for individual characteristics, the risk of either non- or suboptimal care was significantly higher in non-university public maternity units (aOR 2.62 [95% CI: 1.49-4.54]) compared with university hospital units, in units with fewer than 2000 annual deliveries (aOR 2.32 [95% CI: 1.49-3.57]), and in units without an obstetrician always present (aOR 1.96 [95% CI: 1.26-3.03]). CONCLUSIONS: Management practices for severe PPH can be improved, to an extent that varies by component of care and type of hospital. A qualitative approach should help to identify the individual and organizational factors explaining why guidelines are not fully applied.

Understanding regional differences in maternal mortality: a national case-control study in France.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of postpartum maternal death associated with region, and to examine whether the quality of care received by the women who died differed by region. DESIGN: A national case-control study. SETTING: France. POPULATION: Selected from recent nationwide surveys, 328 postpartum maternal deaths from 2001 through 2006 as cases; and a representative sample (n = 14 878) of women who gave birth in 2003 as controls. METHODS: Crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of maternal death associated with region were calculated with logistic regression, and the quality of care for women who died was compared according to region with chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk of postpartum maternal death associated with region, and quality of care. RESULTS: After adjustment for maternal age and nationality, the risk of maternal death was higher in the Ile-de-France region (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) and the overseas districts (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 2.4-5.0) than in the group for the rest of continental France. In both regions, the excess risk of death from haemorrhage, amniotic fluid embolism and hypertensive disorders was significant. In continental France, after further controlling for women's obstetric characteristics, the risk of maternal death in Ile-de-France remained higher (aOR 1.8. 95% CI 1.3-2.6). The women in the cases groups received suboptimal care more frequently in Ile-de-France than in the other continental regions (64% versus 43%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that quality of care and organisation of health services may play a role in the differential risk of maternal mortality between regions in France. Research on severe maternal morbidity and its determinants is needed to clarify the mechanisms involved.

[The confidential enquiries into maternal deaths, 1996-2006 in France: what consequences for the obstetrical care?]. / L'enquête confidentielle française sur les morts maternelles, 1996-2006: quelles conséquences pour les soins en obstétrique?

The national confidential enquiry into maternal deaths (ENCMM) and its committee (CNEMM) have the target to study all maternal deaths occurring in France, in order to expertise the care provided. The current report covers the 1996--year of the ENCMM establishment--to 2006 years. After being informed of the potential maternal deaths by the Epidemiological center on medical causes of deaths (CépiDC), and agreement from the medical doctors concerned, two assessors (one anesthetist and one obstetrician) gather the medical or obstetrical information near the team involved in the care of the women, by the mean of a detailed and specific questionnaire. The completely anonymous files are expertised by the CNEMM. Maternal mortality rates have been calculated by periods, the distribution of the obstetrical causes and the characteristics of the dead women were calculated too. The substandard care and the avoidability of deaths were estimated by subgroup. Since 1996 to 2006, 729 maternal deaths were included of which 553 were expertised. The majority of maternal deaths were due to direct obstetrical causes (73%) mainly haemorrhages (22%), amniotic fluid embolism (12%), complications of hypertension (10 %), and venous thrombo-embolism (around 10 % each). Half of maternal deaths were considered preventable by the CNEMM, particularly haemorrhage and sepsis. The factors of avoidability are delay to treat (31%) inadapted therapeutics (28%), even professional default (20%) no diagnosis (15%) or reluctant patient (7%). Seven deaths are discussed in a specific section including a detailed description of, and recommendations on how the quality of care may be improved.

Multifaceted intervention to decrease the rate of severe postpartum haemorrhage: the PITHAGORE6 cluster-randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Decreasing the prevalence of severe postpartum haemorrhages (PPH) is a major obstetrical challenge. These are often considered to be associated with substandard initial care. Strategies to increase the appropriateness of early management of PPH must be assessed. We tested the hypothesis that a multifaceted intervention aimed at increasing the translation into practice of a protocol for early management of PPH, would reduce the incidence of severe PPH. DESIGN: Cluster-randomised trial. POPULATION: 106 maternity units in six French regions. METHODS: Maternity units were randomly assigned to receive the intervention, or to have the protocol passively disseminated. The intervention combined outreach visits to discuss the protocol in each local context, reminders, and peer reviews of severe incidents, and was implemented in each maternity hospital by a team pairing an obstetrician and a midwife. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the incidence of severe PPH, defined as a composite of one or more of: transfusion, embolisation, surgical procedure, transfer to intensive care, peripartum haemoglobin decrease of 4 g/dl or more, death. The main secondary outcomes were PPH management practices. RESULTS: The mean rate of severe PPH was 1.64% (SD 0.80) in the intervention units and 1.65% (SD 0.96) in control units; difference not significant. Some elements of PPH management were applied more frequently in intervention units-help from senior staff (P = 0.005), or tended to - second-line pharmacological treatment (P = 0.06), timely blood test (P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: This educational intervention did not affect the rate of severe PPH as compared with control units, although it improved some practices.

[Delay in the management of obstetric complications: study in 7 maternity units in Cameroon]. / Délai de prise en charge des complications obstétricales: étude dans 7 maternités au Cameroun.

The purpose of this retrospective, descriptive study conducted in 7 third-level maternity units in Cameroon was to determine maternal mortality rates associated with obstetrical complications and correlate these data with competency of health-care staff and time-to-care. Consolidated data for the year 2004 were used to calculate various indicators of maternal health. During the study period 16,005 deliveries were performed with 15,322 live births. Obstetrical complications occurred in 2847 cases leading to a total of 112 maternal deaths. Overall maternal mortality was 699 deaths for 100,000 live births. The complication fatality rate was 3.3 % and was correlated with both competency of health-care-staff and time-to-care (p < 0.05). In addition delayed for treatment was a determinant factor in maternal mortality since the risk of death increased with longer time-to-care.

Practices for prevention, diagnosis and management of postpartum haemorrhage: impact of a regional multifaceted intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention on practices for prevention, diagnosis and management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and on the prevalence of major PPH in a French perinatal network. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental before-and-after survey. SETTING: All maternity units (n = 19) of a French administrative region, operating as a perinatal network. SAMPLE: One representative sample of all women delivering in the network, one representative sample of women with PPH deliveries and an exhaustive sample of women with major PPH. METHODS: The multifaceted intervention took place between February 2003 and March 2004. Information was retrospectively collected for two periods, 2002 (before the intervention) and 2005 (after). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Practices for prevention, diagnosis and management of PPH and prevalence of major PPH. RESULTS: After the intervention, the pharmacological prevention of PPH increased from 58.8% to 75.9% of vaginal deliveries (P < 10(-4)), and the use of blood collecting bags from 3.9% to 76.3% (P < 10(-4)), but initial PPH management did not change significantly. However, the median delay for second-line pharmacological treatment was significantly shortened [from 80 min (35-130) in 2002 to 32.5 min (20-75) in 2005]. An increase was observed in the use of surgery for PPH (0.06% versus 0.12% of deliveries; P = 0.03) and in blood transfusions (0.18% versus 0.33%; P = 0.01). The prevalence of major PPH did not change (0.80% versus 0.86% of deliveries; P = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was effective at improving PPH-related preventive and diagnostic practices in a perinatal network. Improving management practices and reducing the prevalence of major PPH might require a different intervention design.

[Impact of a new regional management for postpartum hemorrhages by an audit of severe cases: a before and after study (2002-2005)]. / Evaluation de la mise en place d'une prise en charge régionale des hémorragies du postpartum par un audit des cas graves : étude avant-après (2002-2005).

BACKGROUND: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is still the first cause of maternal mortality in France. Most of these cases include inappropriate management. In 2004, regional guidelines were diffused to all the birthplaces in Basse-Normandie. To assess the impact of this regional management, an epidemiological study "before-after" (2002-2005) has been performed. Part of this study was the evaluation of the management of severe PPH. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the quality of care for major PPH and the correct follow-up of the guidelines before and after 2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A clinical audit has been conducted in all the birthplaces from the region to assess the management of all severe PPH identified during 2002 and 2005. PPH were considered as severe when they presented one or more of the following: blood transfusion, uterine embolisation, hemostatic surgery, difference in hemoglobin rates greater than 4 g / dl, or maternal death. All of these cases have been analysed except those defined by hemoglobin difference. Assessment has been carried out by pairs of practitioners (obstetrician and anesthetist) blinded to the origin of the case. Criteria assessed were the quality of care for major PPH, the correct follow-up of the guidelines and the degree of severity of the PPH which was estimated as moderate or severe on clinical arguments. RESULTS: The number of severe PPH was 34 in 2002 and 63 in 2005. The quality of care was increased with rates of inadequate management falling from 32 to 13% (p < 0,02), respectively. The follow-up of the guidelines was correct in the whole area, most of the criteria having been respected in about 90% of cases in 2005. However, active management of the third stage of delivery was only conducted in 71% of cases. The rates of severe PPH were not significantly different between 2002 (44%) and 2005 (38%). CONCLUSION: The originality from this study is that the modifications of the practices were conducted at a regional level in order to enhance the management of PPH. The assessment which was performed showed that quality of care was improved all over the area but that there is still place to progress.