Which statement about postpartum hemorrhage risk factors is true?

• A. Uterine atony and prolonged labor
• B. Hypertension alone is the only risk factor
• C. Short labor and quick delivery reduce risk
• D. Good prenatal care eliminates risk

Answer: (A)

Postpartum hemorrhage is most often caused by uterine atony, meaning the uterus doesn’t contract firmly after delivery to compress the blood vessels at the placental site. When labor is prolonged, the uterine muscles can become fatigued and less able to contract effectively, increasing the risk of atony and heavy bleeding. That’s why uterine atony combined with prolonged labor is the true risk factor pairing. Hypertension alone isn’t the only risk factor, and short or rapid labor doesn’t guarantee safety or elimination of risk. Good prenatal care helps overall outcomes but cannot remove all risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage.