Postpartum hemorrhage is defined as blood loss greater than what amount for a vaginal birth?

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Postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal birth is defined by the amount of blood lost in the first 24 hours after delivery. The threshold used for vaginal deliveries is blood loss exceeding 500 mL. This number signals when clinicians should intervene promptly to prevent progression to hypovolemia or shock. Management at this point focuses on keeping the uterus firm (uterine massage), delivering uterotonic meds like oxytocin to sustain uterine contraction, securing IV access, monitoring vital signs and output, and escalating care if bleeding continues. For context, cesarean deliveries use a higher threshold (over 1000 mL), but any ongoing bleeding or signs of instability should be treated as hemorrhage regardless of the exact volume. Visual estimates often underestimate blood loss, so objective measurement is important.