252 Abor tion
Use sterile forceps to
remove any tissue you
see at the opening of
the womb.
Emergency help for too much bleeding
Health workers and others trained in giving a woman a pelvic
exam may be able to follow these steps to try and stop the
bleeding until the womb can be emptied.
IMPORTANT Because the entrance to the woman’s womb is
open, putting anything inside her vagina is very dangerous. She can
get a serious infection. Only do this if the bleeding is so heavy the
woman’s life is in danger.
1. Wash your hands and the woman‘s genitals with soap and
clean water.
2. Put a clean latex or plastic glove or a very
clean plastic bag on one hand. The gloved
hand should not touch anything before it
goes into the woman’s vagina.
3. Have the woman
lie on her back
with her feet and
knees apart. Help
her relax.
4. If you have a sterile speculum
(you can get the right
instruments from an IUD kit
if you have one), put it
into the vagina so you
can see the opening
of the womb. If
you can see tissue
or clots or lumps
of blood there, try
to get hold of them
with sterile forceps
or clamps and gently
remove them.
5. If you do not have a speculum,
reach inside the woman’s vagina with
your gloved hand, first with 1 finger,
and then with 2 fingers.
the cervix,
opening of
the womb
6. Feel for the cervix. It will feel
more firm and smooth than the
skin around it. It looks like this
and is about this size.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012