05/04/2026 | Agência Minas

https://www.jmonline.com.br/geral/fhemig-e-ufmg-firmam-parceria-para-desenvolver-ia-voltada-a-prevenc-o-da-hemorragia-pos-parto-1.620823?amp=1 

Innovative project, conducted at the Odete Valadares Maternity Hospital, seeks to increase maternal safety with models capable of early identification of complication risks.

The Minas Gerais State Hospital Foundation (Fhemig), in partnership with the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), has launched a Research, Development and Innovation project focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage – one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. The initiative, being conducted at the Odete Valadares Maternity Hospital (MOV), marks a major institutional advancement: it is the first agreement of its kind by Fhemig, applied to maternal health through AI.

Entitled “Innovations in the analysis of postpartum hemorrhage: data expansion, risk strategies and validation with Artificial Intelligence,” the project aims to develop models capable of predicting the risk of postpartum hemorrhage early on. The goal is for the tool to support medical teams at the time of patient admission, allowing them to identify women with a higher probability of developing the complication and thus plan safer care procedures, especially during critical moments of care.

According to Flávia Ribeiro, a gynecologist and obstetrician at MOV and one of the researchers involved in the project, data is already being collected and analyzed. “We expect promising results,” she states. Flávia also explains that one of the study's distinguishing features is the integration of large clinical databases. “The information from MOV will be analyzed in conjunction with data from the maternity ward of the Hospital das Clínicas (UFMG). This expansion of the data volume will allow for more robust and precise analyses, identifying risk factors that are often not perceptible in traditional statistical analyses,” says the professional.

Another important aspect is the external validation of the developed models, a step considered essential in research using AI. In this process, the algorithms will be tested in a hospital environment different from the one in which they were built. “This increases the scientific reliability of the results and expands the potential for application in other healthcare contexts,” emphasizes the doctor.

Innovation in public health

The initiative reinforces MOV's role as a strategic field for applied research and expands Fhemig's leading role in innovation. The expectation is that the project will contribute not only to scientific advancement but also to increasing maternal safety, reducing serious complications in the postpartum period and saving lives.

“By investing in innovation and data science, the public hospital network demonstrates its capacity to produce high-impact knowledge and incorporate advanced technologies for the direct benefit of the population,” she explains.

The coordinator of the Health Informatics Center at the UFMG Faculty of Medicine, Zilma Reis, affirms that, with the positive impacts of the initiative, new partnerships can be agreed upon, strengthening the innovation ecosystem within the Minas Gerais health sector. “The cooperation between the university and Fhemig opens doors for the use of increasingly powerful tools in hospital environments, and promotes the training of qualified human resources better prepared for the ethical and responsible use of AI,” concludes the researcher.

Global Challenge

Obstetric hemorrhage is among the three leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide and, in many countries, ranks first among the direct causes of death during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It is estimated that approximately 25% of global maternal deaths are associated with this type of complication, making the development of strategies capable of anticipating risks and strengthening preventive actions fundamental.

A reference in Minas Gerais, MOV stands out in the care of high-risk pregnancies and deliveries, offering specialized infrastructure, a qualified multidisciplinary team, and rigorous safety protocols. The unit is prepared to handle complex situations, such as cases of hemorrhage, ensuring rapid responses and comprehensive care for patients.

This is what happened to seamstress Karolina Ribeiro, 30, who gave birth to Maria in March. The pregnant woman arrived at MOV with a case of placenta accreta, a serious obstetric complication in which the placenta attaches abnormally to the uterine muscle, generating a high risk of hemorrhage. After delivery, Karolina was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she suffered hemorrhagic shock. The team in that sector needed to act quickly and precisely, which was crucial in stabilizing their situation.

"All the professionals were extremely dedicated and humane, which made all the difference during my recovery. Despite everything, I recognize that I was in the hands of a very well-prepared team," the patient reported.