Skills Training and Multi-Professional Simulation Training on Postpartum Haemorrhage: Practical Guide to Simulation in Delivery Room Emergencies

Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal deaths globally, although preventable in most cases. Most women developing postpartum haemorrhage have no known risk factors. Skilled attendance at birth has proven to be the most effective intervention to save maternal lives. Regardless type of health facility, skills training on prevention, identification and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage can enhance preparedness and save women’s lives. The most crucial action to save maternal lives is Active Management of Third Stage of Labour by a competent and skilled birth attendant. Additionally, simulation training in teams can strengthen communication, respectful care and teamwork. During simulation training, the respect for labouring women can be emphasised. To obtain the best effect of training, factors such as realism, relevance, repetition and reflection are of utmost importance. The faculty for the training should emphasise a safe learning environment, where the participants can reflect on their own and the team’s understanding and actions. For staff working in teams, technical and non-technical skills related to postpartum haemorrhage should take place in multi-professional teams with the same staff/team as in the actual clinical setting. By observing colleagues managing related work tasks, self-efficacy and collective efficacy levels might be enhanced, thereby increasing patient safety.