Briefing: Every Second Matters – Uterine Balloon Tamponade

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for approximately 130,000 deaths and 2.6 million disabled women annually. Access to second-line treatment options such as emergency hysterectomy and other surgical interventions to address uncontrolled PPH refractory to uterotonics is particularly limited in these settings. However, maternal deaths and disabilities from PPH can be avoided if health care providers and pregnant women have access to necessary life-saving knowledge, skills and tools. Through integration and bundling of the award-winning innovation, “Every Second Matters for Mothers and Babies – Uterine Balloon Tamponade” (ESM-UBTTM) package into the clinical practice of maternal care, postpartum hemorrhage deaths and disabilities can be averted.