[Unrecognized hemorrhages during delivery].

On the basis of a series of 600 deliveries between January 1 and May 1 1993, the authors analyze cases of unrecognized delivery-related hemorrhage. Hemorrhage of this type, defined retrospectively on the basis of a difference of at least 3g/100 ml in hemoglobin levels at the time of admission to the labor ward and on the 2nd day post-partum, were found in 3.83% of deliveries and were responsible for 51.11% of falls in hemoglobin of 3g/100 ml or more. Primiparity, induced labor (oxytocics), episiotomy, forceps extractions and cesarean section are their etiologic factors. Particular care should be taken in the presence of any of these factors and induced labor may be useful in the prophylaxis of these unrecognized hemorrhages.