Massive obstetric haemorrhage is usually due to placenta praevia, premature placental separation or postpartum causes and is often associated with coagulopathy. Most maternal deaths associated with ectopic pregnancy, which is the most common cause of death in early pregnancy, are due to haemorrhage. Many women who have died from ectopic pregnancy presented with symptoms of urinary or gastrointestinal conditions. The main causes of antepartum haemorrhage are placenta praevia and placental abruption. A high incidence of false positive diagnosis of placenta praevia is associated with second-trimester transabdominal ultrasound scans. The most common cause of primary postpartum haemorrhage is uterine atony. The signs and symptoms of secondary postpartum haemorrhage include a rising pulse rate, falling blood pressure, pallor, sweating, restlessness and oliguria. Haemorrhage can occur suddenly and unexpectedly in any woman. However, some women are at increased risk of bleeding.