Feasibility, acceptability and adaptation of S-Condom Uterine Balloon Tamponade (UBT) in managing atraumatic post-partum hemorrhage at a tertiary care facility in Bangladesh

Every year, millions of women give birth, and for many, the arrival of a new life is followed by a silent, dangerous threat: heavy bleeding. When the uterus fails to squeeze itself shut after delivery, blood can pour out faster than the body can replace it. In many parts of the world, this is the leading cause of death for mothers. Doctors have long known that the best way to stop this bleeding is to fill the empty space inside the uterus with a balloon, pressing against the walls to force them to clamp down. However, the tools designed for this job are often too expensive for hospitals in poorer countries, or they require a team of people to assemble quickly while a patient is losing blood. In the rush of an emergency, minutes matter, and the time spent tying knots or finding the right parts can be the difference between life and death.

Researchers in Bangladesh set out to solve this problem by creating a simpler, cheaper version of this life-saving tool. They developed a device called the S-Condom Uterine Balloon Tamponade, which is essentially a pre-made kit containing a condom attached to a tube, all sterilized and ready to use. Unlike the old method, where doctors had to manually sew a condom onto a tube during a crisis, this new device comes in a package, ready to be inserted and inflated with salt water. The team wanted to know if this simple, low-cost device could work just as well as the expensive, high-tech versions, and whether doctors and patients would accept it in a busy hospital setting.

To find the answer, the researchers worked at a large teaching hospital in Chittagong, Bangladesh, over a period of fifteen months. They focused on seventy women who were experiencing severe bleeding that did not stop after receiving standard medicines. These women were in a critical state, but not so far gone that they needed immediate surgery. The medical team inserted the new device into the uterus and slowly filled it with salt water until the bleeding stopped. The goal was to see how quickly the bleeding could be controlled, how much fluid was needed, and whether the device caused any harm. They also asked the doctors who used the device and the women who received it how they felt about the experience.

The results were striking. In every single case, the device successfully stopped the bleeding. None of the women needed to undergo major surgery to save their lives. On average, it took just over three minutes from the moment the device was inserted until the bleeding ceased completely. The doctors used about two hundred and forty milliliters of salt water to inflate the balloon, which is roughly the amount of liquid in a large cup. The device stayed in place for about twenty-five hours before being removed, and the women stayed in the hospital for an average of six days. Most importantly, the device was safe. Only one woman developed a mild fever that was easily treated, and no one suffered from pain, infection, or the device slipping out of place.

The women who received the treatment were overwhelmingly satisfied. Nearly all of them reported being happy with the care they received, noting that the bleeding stopped quickly and that they did not feel significant pain while the device was inside them. The doctors, too, found the tool to be a game-changer in the delivery room. They praised the fact that the device came pre-assembled and sterile, which meant they could use it immediately without wasting time on preparation. One of the biggest advantages they noted was that a single doctor could operate the device alone. In the past, using a makeshift balloon often required two people to hold the knot tight and manage the tube, which was difficult when the room was chaotic and the patient was in danger. The new device had a special one-way valve that prevented the water from leaking back out, ensuring the pressure stayed constant without needing constant adjustment.

While the device worked remarkably well, the researchers did encounter a few small hurdles along the way. In the very first batches of devices, a few of them leaked slightly after insertion, and some doctors found it a bit hard to push the water through the tube at first. However, these issues were temporary. The team worked with the manufacturer to fix the leaks in later batches, and the doctors quickly adapted their technique to handle the resistance. These minor problems did not stop the device from saving lives; instead, they highlighted the importance of having a reliable supply chain and quality control when introducing new medical tools.

The study suggests that this simple, low-cost device is a highly effective way to manage severe bleeding after childbirth in resource-limited settings. It offers the same life-saving power as expensive commercial balloons but at a fraction of the cost—less than five dollars per unit compared to hundreds of dollars for imported versions. By removing the need for complex assembly and multiple staff members, it allows doctors to act faster and with more confidence. The research team concluded that with proper training and widespread availability, this device could become a standard part of emergency care in hospitals and clinics around the world, helping to reduce the number of mothers who die from preventable bleeding. The success of the S-Condom Uterine Balloon Tamponade shows that sometimes, the most powerful medical innovations are not the most complicated ones, but the ones that are simple, reliable, and ready when they are needed most.