Reducing postpartum hemorrhage in Africa.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. This is being addressed by leading professional organizations, which point to the importance of a skilled attendant at birth. But they also emphasize that the active management of the third stage of labor is proven to reduce the incidence of PPH. In low-income settings, the prostaglandin misoprostol should be considered as it is low-cost, stable at room temperature and easy to administer.