Following a normal delivery, what may indicate the development of a postpartum hemorrhage?

Tachycardia and vaginal bleeding are critical indicators that may suggest the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage. Following a normal delivery, the body undergoes significant changes, and the loss of blood volume can lead to compensatory mechanisms such as an increased heart rate, or tachycardia. This response is the body's way of trying to maintain adequate perfusion and blood pressure despite the loss of blood.

Vaginal bleeding following delivery is also a direct sign that hemorrhage may be occurring. Normal postpartum bleeding, known as lochia, should gradually decrease over a short period. If there is an increase in the volume or change in the character of vaginal bleeding, it may signal that bleeding from the uterine site or from retained placental fragments is taking place, which could lead to postpartum hemorrhage.

Other options do not specifically align with the common clinical indicators of postpartum hemorrhage. For instance, hypotension and bradycardia are not typical findings in this context, and while decreased urinary output and pallor may indicate other significant issues, they are not as direct a measure of postpartum hemorrhage as tachycardia and vaginal bleeding. Elevated temperature and dry skin may suggest infection or dehydration but do not directly indicate hemorrhage. Therefore, observing tach