London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Objective: A one-day symposium hosted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society, where delegates can learn about new developments in the haematological management of obstetric bleeding. The conference will include sessions on the use of tranexamic acid following the publication of results from the WOMAN Trial in The Lancet earlier this year.

Leading experts will discuss the management of postpartum haemorrhage in the UK, Africa and Asia, how anaemia in pregnancy affects postpartum haemorrhage, fibrinolysis and coagulation in obstetric bleeding, and the use of tranexamic acid.  

Speakers will include Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran (former FIGO and RCOG President), Professor Rizwana Chaudhri and Professor Bukola Fawole (leading obstetricians from Pakistan and Nigeria), Dr Nicola Curry (Consultant Haematologist at the Oxford Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre), Dr Beverley Hunt (Professor of thrombosis and haemostasis and Director of the Haemostasis Research Unit at Guys and St Thomas’), and Professor Ian Roberts and Haleema Shakur from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s Clinical Trials Unit, who led the WOMAN Trial.

The event is CPD relevant – a certificate of attendance can be provided on request.

Who should attend: Consultants, Midwives, Trainees and staff grade doctors

Learning Objectives: After attending the symposium, you will:

• Understand postpartum haemorrhage as a global public health issue

• Be aware of the haematological changes in obstetric bleeding

• Be aware of the evidence on use of tranexamic acid in obstetric bleeding

Registration will open at 9.00am, with the symposium beginning at 9.30am.

Full programme:

09.00       Registration

09.30       Definition of severe postpartum bleeding

(Andrew Weeks, University of Liverpool)

10.00       Incidence of severe postpartum bleeding

(Carine Ronsmans, LSHTM)

10.30       Clinical management of postpartum bleeding                                                   

(Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, University of London)

11.00       BREAK

11.30       Managing post-partum bleeding in Nigeria

(Bukola Fawole, University of Ibadan)

12.00       Managing post-partum bleeding in Pakistan

(Rizwana Chaudhri, Rawalpindi Medical College)

12.30       Maternal anaemia and post-partum haemorrhage

(Imelda Bates, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)

13.00       LUNCH

14.00       Fibrinogen and severe bleeding

(Nicola Curry, University of Oxford)

14.30       Fibrinolysis and coagulation in severe bleeding

(Beverley Hunt, King’s College London)

15.00       Tranexamic acid in trauma and surgery

(Katharine Ker, LSHTM)

15.30       The Woman trial results

(Haleema Shakur, LSHTM)

16.00       Tranexamic acid: Time to treatment is critical

(Ian Roberts, LSHTM)

16.30       END

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Following the symposium, there will be a separate event to launch the 'Blood Clock' – an artwork produced by Consultant Obstetrician Graham Tydeman. Some of the day’s speakers will be joined by other experts from the field of maternal health to discuss postpartum haemorrhage and the WOMAN Trial, followed by a drinks reception (event runs 5.30-8pm). Symposium delegates are welcome to stay for this event – please indicate in your registration if you would like to attend.