A retrospective study of 40 hysterectomies due to hemorrhage performed at the "Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo", from January 1978 to August 1989 was conducted in order to determine which type of hysterectomy (total or subtotal) is better indicated during the pregnant-puerperal period. We analyzed operating time, quantity of blood derivatives transfused during the intra- and postoperative periods, time of postoperative hospitalization, number of intra- and postoperative complications, and deaths. The results did not show statistically significant differences between the two types of hysterectomy. We conclude that total hysterectomy is preferable in any clinical situation, especially in the presence of uterine atony and low implanted placenta.