**3.2 Postpartum complications**

Infection commonly occurs in approximately 5% of post partum patients and significant immediate postpartum hemorrhage in approximately 1% of patients. Just after the delivery of the placenta, the uterus is palpated bimanually to ascertain its tonicity. Uterine palpation is very important and is repeated frequently during the immediate postpartum period to prevent and identify uterine atony promptly. In only 1% of cases, bleeding persists or is excessive and is called delayed postpartum hemorrhage. If the bleeding is heavy or the uterus is believed to contain blood clots, uterus should be massaged until it contracts and the clots expressed. The physician may be notified, and on order an oxytocin preparation such as syntocinon 1 ml given intramuscularly orIV infusion with 5% glucose is administered. When the general condition of the mother is satisfactory, the mother and baby should be transferred to the ward. As soon as the post natal ward is notified that the newly delivered mother and her baby is to be transferred to the ward, the mid wife should arrange for a bed to be prepared in a single room or in a quite area of a ward so that the mother will be able to sleep following her efforts during delivery.

On arrival, we should note the following:

