The Jada device is a medical tool designed to stop dangerous bleeding after childbirth, known as postpartum hemorrhage. It works by applying gentle suction inside the uterus, encouraging the uterine muscle to contract and close off bleeding blood vessels. The FDA cleared it in August 2020, and it has since become an important option in delivery rooms as an alternative to older methods like balloon tamponade.
How the Jada Device Works
After delivery, the uterus is supposed to contract firmly, squeezing its blood vessels shut. When that doesn’t happen, a condition called uterine atony, heavy bleeding can follow quickly. The Jada device addresses this by creating a low-level vacuum inside the uterine cavity. That negative pressure pulls the uterine walls inward, triggering the muscle to contract on its own. As the muscle tightens, it compresses the blood vessels running through it and reduces blood flow.
This is a fundamentally different approach from balloon devices like the Bakri balloon, which have been used for years. Balloons work by inflating inside the uterus and physically pressing against the bleeding surfaces. The Jada, by contrast, uses suction to encourage the uterus to do what it’s supposed to do naturally. Rather than forcing pressure outward, it draws the walls inward.
What the Device Looks Like
The Jada system is a 41-centimeter-long silicone tube with a few key components. At one end is an elliptical loop that sits inside the uterine cavity, where the suction is applied. Near the cervix, an inflatable seal keeps the device in place and prevents air from entering the uterus. That seal is filled with 60 to 120 milliliters of sterile fluid and expands to about 70 millimeters in diameter. The other end connects to a standard hospital wall suction source through a vacuum connector.
Clinical Success Rates
In its pivotal clinical trial, the Jada device controlled bleeding successfully in 94% of cases. The median time to stop hemorrhaging was just 3 minutes. The trial enrolled 107 women who had delivered at 34 weeks of gestation or later and were experiencing atony-related blood loss. About 85% of the deliveries were vaginal, with the remainder being cesarean.
A comparative study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada found meaningful differences between the vacuum device and traditional balloon tamponade. Among patients treated with the Jada-type vacuum device, only 2.8% needed a massive transfusion (defined as four or more units of red blood cells), compared to 20.5% of patients treated with a balloon. Total blood loss was also lower in the vacuum group, averaging around 1,500 milliliters versus 1,875 milliliters with balloons.
When It Can and Cannot Be Used
The Jada device is specifically intended for postpartum hemorrhage caused by uterine atony, meaning the uterus isn’t contracting properly after delivery. It can be used after both vaginal and cesarean births, though with some differences. For cesarean deliveries, the cervix must be dilated to less than 3 centimeters. For vaginal births, the cervix needs to be dilated to at least 2 to 3 centimeters to allow placement.
There are several situations where the device should not be used:
- Retained placental tissue still inside the uterus
- Active infection of the vagina, cervix, or uterus
- Arterial bleeding that requires surgery or embolization
- Uterine rupture or inversion that hasn’t been corrected
- Blood clotting disorders like disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Blood clots present inside the uterus
- Bleeding from causes other than atony, such as cervical tears or placental problems
It also cannot be used before 34 weeks of gestation or more than 48 hours after delivery.
What to Expect During Treatment
A healthcare provider inserts the device through the cervix (or through the uterine incision during a cesarean) and positions the suction loop inside the uterine cavity. The cervical seal is then inflated to hold it in place, and wall suction is connected. Most patients feel the device working within minutes as the uterus begins to firm up.
The device stays in place with suction running until bleeding has been controlled for at least one hour, the uterus feels firm, and the patient is stable. Most women have the device removed within 1 to 5 hours, though it can remain for up to 24 hours if needed. Once removed, normal postpartum recovery continues.
Why It Matters for Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Uterine atony accounts for the majority of cases. When standard medications fail to make the uterus contract, the next steps have traditionally included balloon tamponade, compression sutures, or in severe cases, hysterectomy. The Jada device fills a critical gap between medications and surgery, offering a fast-acting, less invasive option that works with the body’s own contraction mechanism rather than against it. Its speed (a median of 3 minutes to control bleeding) and its association with fewer massive transfusions make it a significant addition to the tools available in labor and delivery units.