E-MOTIVE Mnemonic for Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Lifesaving Strategy

The E-MOTIVE mnemonic stands for a six-component bundle aimed at tackling postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a major cause of maternal death, especially in low-resource settings. This approach, tested in a cluster-randomized trial across 80 hospitals in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2023. Here’s what E-MOTIVE stands for and why it matters:

• E – Early Detection: Uses a calibrated blood-collection drape to objectively measure blood loss after vaginal delivery. This ensures PPH (blood loss ≥500 ml) is identified quickly and accurately, unlike visual estimation, which can be unreliable.

• M – Massage: Uterine massage is performed to stimulate contractions and control bleeding, particularly for uterine atony, the most common cause of PPH.

• O – Oxytocic Drugs: Administers drugs like oxytocin to promote uterine contractions and reduce bleeding. These are critical for managing uterine atony effectively.

• T – Tranexamic Acid: An antifibrinolytic drug given to stabilize clots and reduce bleeding, especially when administered early after PPH onset.

• I – Intravenous Fluids: Provides fluids to maintain blood volume and prevent shock in women experiencing significant blood loss.

• V – Vaginal Examination and Escalation: Involves a thorough genital tract exam to identify trauma or retained tissue, with escalation to surgical or advanced care if bleeding persists.

• E – Effective Teamwork: Emphasizes communication, cooperation, and rapid response among healthcare providers to ensure all components are delivered promptly.

Why It’s a Game-Changer: The trial showed that E-MOTIVE reduced the risk of severe PPH (blood loss ≥1000 ml), laparotomy for bleeding, or maternal death by 60% compared to usual care.

PPH was detected in 93.1% of cases in the intervention group versus 51.1% in the control group, and the treatment bundle was used in 91.2% of cases versus 19.4%.

This bundle ensures evidence-based interventions are applied consistently and concurrently, saving lives by addressing PPH faster and more effectively.

E-MOTIVE is a practical, scalable solution, especially for low- and middle-income countries where PPH is deadliest. Its use of low-cost tools like the blood-collection drape makes it accessible, while the mnemonic simplifies training and implementation for healthcare teams under pressure.

This summary is based on the New England Journal of Medicine article.