[Indications of the different components of blood and outcome of transfusion practices in postpartum hemorrhage].

Despite a high incidence of mortality associated with post-partum haemorrhage, indications for transfusion of blood and its components in obstetrics remain ill defined. Transfusion is often massive if needed. Transfusion management depends upon appreciation of blood loss, with systematic research of associated disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) or other preexisting coagulation disorders. If DIC is ruled out, the classic rules of volemic substitution apply, besides certain qualitative characteristics intrinsic to the blood components or products used. Treatment of DIC calls for fresh frozen safely screened plasma, fibrinogen or platelets concentrates. Indications for autologous transfusion are very limited in these circumstances.