ACOG publications on stillbirth or postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) do not consider stillbirth as a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhagic morbidity. This study aimed to ascertain the likelihood of composite maternal hemorrhagic outcome (CMHO) among individuals who delivered vaginally with livebirth versus a stillbirth.

This was a retrospective cohort study of all parturients greater than 20 weeks gestation who delivered vaginally at a single level IV site within 24 months. Demographic differences and baseline PPH risks were analyzed. CMHO included any of the following: estimated blood loss ≥1,000 mL, use of uterotonics (beyond prophylactic oxytocin), Bakri balloon, surgical management of PPH, blood transfusion, hysterectomy, venous thromboembolism (VTE), admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), or maternal death. Statistical analysis included chi-squared, Kruskal-Wallis, and Poisson regression with robust error variance for risk ratios, adjusting for gestational age (GA), bleeding on admission, chorioamnionitis, and prior uterine surgery.

Of 8,623 consecutive vaginal births ≥20 weeks gestation, 89 (1.9%) were stillbirths. Maternal age, marital status, GA at delivery, and PPH risk stratification at admission differed significantly. Bleeding at admission (p < 0.001), prior uterine surgery (p < 0.001), magnesium sulfate use (p = 0.006), chorioamnionitis (p < 0.001), platelet count <100 (p = 0.001), platelet count <50 (p < 0.001), and retained products of conception (p < 0.001) were different in the two groups. CMHO was significantly higher with a stillbirth delivery (32.6 vs. 16.8%; aRR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.01–2.46). After adjustment, the components of the CMHO that differed significantly were estimated blood loss ≥1,000 mL and ICU admission. Tamponade, surgical intervention, VTE, hysterectomy, and maternal death did not differ between the two groups.

Pregnancies with stillbirth, compared with livebirth, had an increased risk of hemorrhagic related morbidity. In addition to being useful in shared decision-making, our results can be nidus for intervention trials to decrease the hemorrhagic morbidity associated with stillbirth.

The risk of CMHO was significantly higher in the stillbirth group even after adjustment for potential confounders (32.6% vs. 16.8%).

Stillbirth was associated with a significantly higher risk of blood loss of ≥1,000 mL.

Stillbirth was also associated with higher likelihood of uterotonic use, transfusion, and admission to ICU.

Received: 14 March 2025

Accepted: 03 December 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
05 December 2025

Article published online:
15 December 2025

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