Use of an Obstetric Balloon for Postabortion Hemorrhage With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Postabortion hemorrhage occurs in up to 2% of second-trimester pregnancy terminations. Postabortion hemorrhage is the leading cause of postabortion maternal mortality. We report the successful use of an obstetric balloon for second-trimester postabortion hemorrhage complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. A 38-year-old multigravid woman presented with hypovolemic shock from disseminated intravascular coagulation after second-trimester termination of an anomalous fetus. An intrauterine Foley catheter filled with 60 mL of fluid failed to tamponade bleeding. An obstetric balloon filled with 330 mL of fluid temporized bleeding until the patient's coagulopathy was corrected. An obstetric balloon should be considered in the management of second-trimester postabortion hemorrhage complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation while coagulopathy is corrected.