I had with first as the midwife cocked up my labour and it turned into an emergency (shoulder dystocia) - it was all very hectic but I remember it hurting a bit. With second no injection and it just slopped out easily about 20 mins after birth when ds2 had latched on. I wouldn't bother unless medical reason/traumatic birth.

The resaon why I put not in second birth plan unless was haemorhaging or something was that after nightmare medicalized first birth with monitoring, prodding, poking and jabbing I had a real strong urge to be left the f* alone in labour unless medically dangerous for the baby and I must say, I was lucky enough it worked out that way and it was a much less unpleasnat and traumatic experience.

I can't remember if I had it with dd, but I didn't with ds, very relaxed birth, I had read up about it, then whilst waiting I got impatient, but the midwife just encouraged me to wait, so it was all fine in the end... have to say I found the after pains quite shocking with ds compared to with dd, I wasn't prepared for them, esp after a fairly easy birth.

I had it with my first (hospital)birth which led to much hauling on the cord and pressure tactics (verbal/emotional and physical!) due to the inevitable panic of the midwife followed by inevitable bloodloss.

I didn't have it with my following three (home)births. Physiological 3rd stages (waited for cord to stop pulsating) and each placenta schlooped out in it's own good time, no trauma (emotional or physical), not much difference in length of stage, a shorter time if anything and less bleeding by far. All apart from the final one which took an hour but critically, it was an hour of chilling out and baby cuddling/feeding; all good!

Are you planning to breastfeed Picante? Your body will release oxytocin upon latching on if so, if not a similar hormonal response can be acheived by skin to skin snuggling.

Oxytocin closes down the womb, expelling the placenta and shutting all blood vessels as it goes. Syntometrine (the injection) is merely a synthesised version of the same chemical and not necessarily better! Not least because it necessitates a time limit for expulsion which is what often creates the panic that leads to intervention.

I had a natural third stage with DD after I had the injection with DS. It was fine, and much nicer than the horrible yanking that the doctor was doing after the injection <boak>.

I had an infection with 'retained products' after the injection so was keen for a natural 3rd stage with DD.

It took about 30 mins, including waiting for the cord to stop pulsing and then a few pushes and out it came. I got to have a good look at it too! I thoroughly recommend it if you haven't seen it before.

However, I also had the same womb infection after DD so it looks like that's just the way I'm built!

One of the consultants told me something cheery while I was spaced out with 40 degree temp because of infection, on a drip in the hospital.... apparently I'd be dead if this had happened to me 100 years ago.... nice....

if you at home this time, so you dont need any injections - just take your time

I did have the injection with both of mine, but I still retained some placenta and membranes with my 2nd.

Didn't come out until 10 days later. Fortunately I had had some antibiotics for something else or I would have had a dreadful infection. As it was, I felt very dizzy and strange when it finally "fell out".

Just gave birth to DD2 on tues and thanks to advise on this thread had a natural 3rd stage. I used gravity and coughing to help shift the placenta and really thankful to people sharing their experience as otherwise would never have known to ask.
I had the injection last time with DD1 and when the MW had applied tension to the cord it felt like my insides were being pulled inside out, really unpleasant sensation. This time the MW asked if she could try abit of tension and even though she was really gentle was the same horrible sensation so I asked if I could sit up, and after squatting very unceremoniously over the bucket and coughing it came out. Not my most glamorous hour but so much better than the very brutal tugging feelings so definitely the best decision for me. I thought it wouldn’t have been that uncommon but after it had been delivered the MW who has been a community MW for the last 2yrs after working in the hospitals said that was her first natural 3rd stage she’d done, which surprised me.

First time (home birth) I did have it as I was bleeding a fair bit. By no means was it straight away though so I'd guess the cord had stopped pulsating but don't really know. The placenta just came out after a few minutes with no interference fro, the midwives.

Second home birth I wasn't going to have it but after a while when nothing happened (was only about 10 mins I think so was obviously too impatient) I asked for the jab. Midwife said it wasn't worth it by so didn't have it. It tok hardly any time to come out and was still cuddling/feeding my newborn when it did.

Oh yes, and if you do go for natural 3rd stage put in your birth plan that the midwives should not tug on the cord or try to pull the placenta out as this is contra-indicated.

I think it is best to wait and see how you feel. As I understand it once they have given you the injection the placenta must come out within a specified time or they will take you in to surgery, and there is no requirement that you have the injection straight away so give it a while and see how you feel.

I did not have the injection as I wanted a natural, unclamped third stage. BF'd DD while waiting for placenta and DH cut the cord once it was out.

Hope it all goes well