How Accurate Is the Visual Estimation of Blood Loss During Vaginal Delivery: A Comparison with Calculated Blood Loss at Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria

The discrepancy between visually estimated blood loss and calculated blood loss after vaginal delivery was determined in this study. This was a comparative analytical study conducted at Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Imo State Nigeria. Pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were recruited through the labour ward of the hospital. The maternal height, weight, pre and post delivery packed cell volume were measured. These were used to calculate the blood loss. The calculated blood loss was derived by multiplying the maternal blood volume by the percentage change in pre and postpartum packed cell volume. This was compared with the visually estimated blood loss. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16 to find out if there was significant difference between these two methods. Two hundred and seven women delivered during the period of the study but only one hundred and sixty one were eligible and were used for the study. They was gross overestimation and underestimation of blood loss during the first half of the study but the difference gradually decreased as the study progressed because improved estimation because the initial values differed remarkedly with clinical findings thereby leading to better judgement in subsequent estimations. There was significant statistical difference between the two methods and CEBL was more sensitive than VEBL in diagnosing PPH. Visual estimation of blood loss is inaccurate compared to calculated method of blood loss estimation after vaginal delivery. Repeated estimation can improve accuracy.

Keywords: Visual Estimation, Blood Loss, Vaginal Delivery, and Calculated Blood Loss.