[2] It also occurs more commonly following caesarean sections, those in whom medications are used to start labor, those requiring the use of a vacuum or forceps, and those who have an episiotomy.

[2][8] Prevention involves decreasing known risk factors including procedures associated with the condition, if possible, and giving the medication oxytocin to stimulate the uterus to contract shortly after the baby is born.

[2] Treatments may include: intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and the medication ergotamine to cause further uterine contraction.

[2] The World Health Organization has recommended the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment to help until other measures such as surgery can be carried out.

[1] Signs and symptoms of circulatory shock may also include blurry vision, cold and clammy skin, confusion, and feeling sleepy or weak.

[1][12] Causes of postpartum hemorrhage are uterine atony, trauma, retained placenta or placental abnormalities, and coagulopathy, commonly referred to as the "four Ts":[13] Other risk factors include endometriosis,[15] obesity, fever during pregnancy, bleeding before delivery, and heart disease.

[16] Active management of the third stage of labor with uterotonics (oxytocin or Misoprostol) and gentle umbilical cord traction have been shown to reduce the incidence of PPH by 66%.

A review into this method found no benefit to its use and advises only controlled cord traction because fundal pressure can cause the mother unnecessary pain.

[16] Allowing the cord to drain appears to shorten the third stage and reduce blood loss but evidence around this subject is not strong enough to draw solid conclusions.

[17] Nipple stimulation and breastfeeding triggers the release of natural oxytocin in the body, therefore it is thought that encouraging the baby to suckle soon after birth may reduce the risk of PPH for the mother.

[26] It may reduce the risk of PPH by improving the tone of the uterus when compared with no treatment, however it must be used with caution due to its effects of raising blood pressure and worsening pain.

[23] Misoprostol does not need to be kept at a certain temperature and research into its effectiveness in reducing blood loss appears promising when compared with a placebo in a setting where it is not appropriate to use oxytocin.

[28] Giving oxytocin in a solution of saline into the umbilical vein is a method of administering the drug directly to the placental bed and uterus.

[31] Tranexamic acid, a clot stabilizing medication, may also be used to reduce bleeding and blood transfusions in low-risk patients,[32] however evidence as of 2015 was not strong.

[9] In some countries, such as Japan, methylergometrine and other herbal remedies are given following the delivery of the placenta to prevent severe bleeding more than a day after the birth.

[citation needed] There is currently no reliable evidence from randomised clinical trials about the effectiveness or risks of mechanical and surgical methods of treating postpartum bleeding.

[43] Inflating a Sengstaken–Blakemore tube in the uterus successfully treats atonic postpartum hemorrhage refractory to medical management in approximately 80% of cases.

[7] Protocols to manage postpartum bleeding are recommended to ensure the rapid giving of blood products when needed.

[52] However, the review also found that active management increased the patient's blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

In the active management group more patients returned to hospital with bleeding after discharge, and there was also a reduction in birthweight due to infants having a lower blood volume.

[53] Although they were more likely to need phototherapy (light therapy) to treat jaundice, the improved iron stores are expected to be worth increasing the practice of delayed cord clamping in healthy term babies.