What is uterine atony?

What is uterine atony?

• A. A rigid contracted uterus
• B. A uterus that is inverted
• C. A soft boggy poorly contracted uterus and most commonly causes early PPH
• D. A uterus that is enlarged with excess tone

Answer: (C)

Uterine atony is the uterus failing to contract with enough force after delivery, so the placental sites aren’t adequately compressed and bleeding continues. This leads to postpartum hemorrhage, especially early after birth. The description of a soft, boggy, poorly contracted uterus matches atony, which is why this option is correct. A rigid contracted uterus suggests strong contraction, not atony; an inverted uterus is a separate complication where the uterus turns inside out; and an enlarged uterus with excess tone indicates hypertonicity, not lack of tone.

Uterine atony is the uterus failing to contract with enough force after delivery, so the placental sites aren’t adequately compressed and bleeding continues. This leads to postpartum hemorrhage, especially early after birth. The description of a soft, boggy, poorly contracted uterus matches atony, which is why this option is correct. A rigid contracted uterus suggests strong contraction, not atony; an inverted uterus is a separate complication where the uterus turns inside out; and an enlarged uterus with excess tone indicates hypertonicity, not lack of tone.