Despite popular belief, there is a rare type of hemophilia that affects women of childbearing age. von willebrand disease is the most common of the hereditary bleeding disorders and can affect males and females alike. it results from a factor viii deficiency and platelet dysfunction. although factor viii levels increase naturally during pregnancy, there is an increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage from birth until 4 weeks postpartum as levels of von willebrand factor (vwf) and factor viii decrease. what treatment should be considered first for the woman with von willebrand disease who experiences a postpartum hemorrhage?