Condition: Uterine Inertia

Uterine intertia, also called uterine atony, is a condition in which the uterus doesn’t contract or relax properly following labor and childbirth. Uterine inertia causes heavy and abnormal bleeding, known as hemorrhaging, within a few hours after childbirth. Uterine atony literally means that there is “no tone” in the uterine muscles, so that they cannot function properly. Normally following childbirth and the expulsion of the placenta, the uterus has strong, tight contractions that control the post-partum bleeding and naturally stop the bleeding. Uterine inertia is the most common reason why hemorrhaging occurs after delivery. Risk factors for uterine inertia include having either a very quick or very long labor.