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Introduction: Intra-amniotic maternal hemorrhage is a rare condition, hard to differentiate from some other conditions in pregnancy. We report an unusual case of intra-amniotic maternal hemorrhage in term pregnancy ending in urgent cesarean section, identified on ultrasound examination., Case Report: A 24-year-old female (gravida 3, para 2, abortion 0) was admitted to hospital at 40 weeks' gestation for collapse and general weakness. Her blood pressure was 90/60 mm Hg, pulse 112 bpm, temperature 36 degrees C. The fetal heart race tracings were stable and reactive. The cervix was opened 3 cm. Further examination revealed no vaginal bleeding and normal amnioscopic findings. An ultrasound examination confirmed singleton, head-presenting gestation without any visible congenital anomalies, amniotic fluid index was at the 50th percentile, anterior placenta without evidence of previa, abruption or retroplacental hematoma. An inhomogeneous echogenic mass, measuring 12 x 8 cm, was noted within the amniotic cavity, there was no evidence of pathological flow through the mass on color Doppler. After admittance to the hospital, the patient complained of regular pains, weakness and collapsed with signs of hemorrhagic shock. Repeated ultrasound evaluation showed no change in acoustic texture and size, but the amniotic fluid now had a hyperechoic appearance which revealed increasing intra-amniotic hemorrhage. Because of clinical signs of maternal hemorrhagic shock confirmed by laboratory findings of decreasing red blood parameters, an urgent cesarean section was performed. A female infant weighing 3,070 g, Apgar score 5/7, was delivered. After removal of the placenta there was no sign of abruption, which was confirmed at histopathology. Hemoglobin A was detected in the amniotic fluid by Abt's test. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course. The infant developed normally., Conclusion: When there are signs of fetal distress or maternal hemorrhagic shock, an urgent cesarean section should be performed., (Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The authors describe three patients who developed massive primary postpartum hemorrhage and review the case reports. In two patients, primary postpartum hemorrhage was due to uterine atony, and in one patient it was due to atony and thrombophilia. In all three patients, excellent effect was achieved with hemorrhage reduction by a compression B-Lynch suture alone, with bimanual compression following medicamentous uterotonic therapy. B-Lynch suture is an efficient, safe, and simple method for the treatment of primary postpartum hemorrhage during cesarean section, which successfully reduces the number of urgent postpartum hysterectomies, also preserving subsequent fertility. In our opinion, the method should be included in the algorithm of primary postpartum hemorrhage management at all obstetric departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]