Large concealed paravaginal haematoma: A case report of an occult postpartum haemorrhage

Paravaginal haematomas are common but rarely do they cause severe postpartum haemorrhage. While surgical evacuation is classically recommended for large haematomas, conservative management may be an appropriate strategy. We present the case of a 30-year-old primiparous woman with a large paravaginal haematoma causing a postpartum haemorrhage managed conservatively. The patient became hypotensive to 80/40 mmHg three and a half hours after forceps delivery, despite minimal vaginal bleeding. On examination she had a palpable mass at the right vaginal wall and uterine fundus deviated to the right, above the umbilicus. A computerised tomography examination of the pelvis demonstrated two paravaginal haematomas, the largest measuring 7 cm × 8 cm × 12 cm, extending superiorly into the supralevator and extraperitoneal space. The patient's haemoglobin fell from 13.2 g/dL to 7.1 g/dL. She was managed conservatively with analgesia, intravenous fluid resuscitation and one unit of packed red blood cells, and was discharged home three days postpartum. This case supports the conservative management of even large paravaginal haematomas, which may extend into the supralevator space, making surgical evacuation technically difficult.