Mumsnet Talk

I had retained placenta after DD1 which despite numerous visits to my GP wasn't diagnosed for 7 months when I was finally sent for an ultrasound scan. I was lucky that I didn't get an infection but I didn't stop bleeding for the 7 months which was pretty horrible.

Anyway, DD2 was born 3 weeks ago and I think the bleeding is still quite heavy. This time round I asked the midwife to check the placenta carefully and she said there was a very small piece missing but that this didn't necessarily mean that it hadn't come out. So obviously I am now concerned that I have retained placenta again.

Obviously I will go to my GP this week to discuss with them but does this sound like retained placenta? When should the bleeding usually subside?

I am concerned that last time the only way to remove it was a 'D&C' or ERPOC which involved a general anaesthetic. Anyone had this done whilst breastfeeding and how do you keep feeding when having a general? I stopped breastfeeding with DD1 to have the procedure done as I felt happy that she had been breastfed for 7 months but obviously with DD2 I am not prepared to stop feeding her yet!

I've never had a retained placenta, but my bleeding after each child didn't start to slow until 6 weeks post partum.
If you are very concerned, or are passing really big clots, go and see someone straight away
xx

i had retained placenta with dd2 and the bleeding after was much heavier was told it was because i was ragged inside!

i did bleed for longer and more with her than dd1

34weeks now with ds1 and pooping it that i will retain again!

i wld wait another few days and then go docs

I had my baby on September 24th and was still bleeding 7 weeks later (including 2 hemorrhages and readmissions to hospital) it was only my 3rd hemorrhage that made the hospital scan me - lo and behold, there is retained placenta!

I had a D&C which they were adament they were doing under general, however like you, I wasn't prepared to give up breastfeeding. I eventually persuaded the anaesthatist (sp?!!!) to do it under spinal, which wasn't that unpleasant to be honest. The worst part of it was the drug they had to give me to contract my uterus made my heart go into an abnormal rhythm and I honestly thought I was having a heart attack - most unpleasant (in fact I was so scared, I asked to hold one of the theatre nurses hand, and didn't let it go until I was in recovery!) and when I was taken back to the ward (about 2 hours after I'd left) my DH was there brandishing the baby at me saying "thank god you're back - he's been crying for milk for the past 20 minutes"

I was unfortunate, as I also had an infection and have had 3 lots of IV antibiotics and 2 lots of oral antibiotics, which I'm still on now (hoping this last lot will have done the trick) so I've had a bit of a crappy time, and because of that, I'd urge you to go to the GP if you're at all concerned. It's the last think you need with a newborn and a toddler.

HTH