OBJECTIVE To examine the need for blood transfusion in cases of obstetric hemorrhagic shock origin in Maria Auxiliadora Hospital patients and determine the frequency of some adverse effects. METHODS: descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological investigation, to which the files of the departments of obstetrics and gynecology and clinical and Blood Bank January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998. It was pointed Laboratory examined the total of births attended, the frequency hemorrhagic disease in obstetric patients and the frequency of hemorrhagic shock according to the pathology encountered. Also the number of blood transfusions performed and complications were determined it said. RESULTS: A total of 28 151 births, 6537 abortions, ectopic pregnancies and 111 186 hydatidiform moles, 136 cases of hemorrhagic shock (0.48% of all births) was found. The main causes of hemorrhagic shock were the cond...