Delivering the placenta...natural or injection

[mixedmama]

If you delivered the placenta naturally did you have to let go of your baby to do it or did you keep them in your arms and was it a good experience, or do you wish you had the injection and just got it out.

[CatIsSleepy]

I wish I hadn't had the injection...

placenta didn't come out and had to be manually removed afterwards.
I am not going through that again.

[JoMa]

i had the injection with ds1, didn't with ds2.
kept the cord attached until it stopped pulsating, then just waited. after a while i let go of ds2 so i could get up on all fours which helped me deliver it quicker.

if i had another i would definitely not haave the injection unless it was required

[lou33]

3 of my 4 were natural, iirc, as it was a few years ago now, they all delivered fairly rapidly, i was holding the baby, and we waited about 20 mins after the placenta was delivered , i thnk, before we cut the cord

it was good

[lulumama]

baby should not be taken off you, regardless of whether you have a physiological 3rd stage or not.(unless baby needs some help ) ..skin to skin is so important just after birth..also putting hte baby to the breast can help deliver the placenta, as the oxytocin released when baby comes to the breast helps the 3rd stage

[JoMa]

I had tried that Lulu, but ds2 wouldn't feed, ds1 didn't feed for 12 hours after birth . still bf them both for months tho, still going with ds2

[lou33]

ds1 wouldnt feed for about the same time when he was born

he wont bloody stop now (aged 8)

[Miaou]

I had injection for dd1 and dd2 (no problems; placenta delivered whilst I was feeding them iirc); natural with ds. Placenta wouldn't budge despite ds feeding well; I had to be transferred to the city hospital 2 hours away for the cord to be pulled (they couldn't do it at the cottage hospital I was in as there was no emergency care if the cord snapped). I couldn't wee after the birth though and in retrospect should have been catheterised as my bladder was so huge it was preventing the placenta from coming out (I think, all a bit hazy now!!). Am having syntometrine this time!

[Ceolas]

Another dilemma I am trying to get to grips with. Have had injection with previous 3 births and wondering about not having it this time.

It worries me that the clock starts ticking as soon as the injection is administered. DD2's placenta took a while to be delivered and everyone was very nervous. Dr had his huge hands up there pulling...

I was taken to theatre but managed to deliver it before anything more drastic was done.

I just don't know this time. Miaou, you have worried me!

[Ceolas]

I was thinking along those lines loopy. Planning home birth so I gather the MWs carry syntometrine in case of PPH anyway.

[Miaou]

Sorry Ceolas, didn't want to worry you but I thought it was worthwhile pointing out that no injection does not necessarily make everything go smoother! OTOH, I am sure that, had I been catheterised once it was realised I couldn't wee, then it would have come out fine. Benefit of hindsight and all that.

[reikizen]

I had a physiolgical 3rd stage this time around and it did take a while but I was at home so nice and relaxed. I think I'd decide on the day depending on what (if any) intervention you have had.

[mixedmama]

I didnt actually even think about it last time. After I delivered the midwife just gave me the injection and I delivered almost immediately. Had read some stuff on the net about perhaps not being able to hold LO whilst delivering it naturally as it is better to stand or squat and was worried about that, which prompted the OP. Thanks though ladies you have really put my mind at rest.

[Klaw]

Having done some reading on this I have decided that if it were me and there had been no intervention in the labour I would go for physiological 3rd stage knowing that action could be taken if necessary. It is important to have an empty bladder so that uterus can contract down properly and baby feeding is a good way of utilising the normal love hormones. Mw and Doula (if you have one) should help with positioning if it is required and ensure that skin to skin is maximised.

If you've had any medical intervention then you must have a managed 3rd stage.

It all seems very simple to me but as I've had an emCS and then a VBAC with forceps it is obvious that I want to get away from a medicalsed birth as much as possible! LOL

[Dinosaur]

I'm with CatIsSleepy - I had the same experience with DS2 and it was pretty grim. With DS3 I didn't have the injection and delivery of the placenta was fine, very quick, I only had to let go of DS3 to have a shower afterwards!

[vole3]

Was discussing whether or not to have the jab with the MW when it just fell out after 5 minutes.

[MarsLady]

natural! You can keep the baby in your arms. In fact if the baby is latched on and feeding so much the better!

[callmeovercautious]

I tried for the natural route and DD fed straight away but after 30 min of more contractions it was spoiling my first minutes with her so asked for the injection (and more gas and air )
DP cut the cord they gave me the jab and I had an enormous urge to push. It almost hit the poor midwife in the face
I think if you have had a natural birth it is worth trying to deliver it naturally but I had had enough after half an hour.
I'd had the baby why was I still contracting?
I never considered that, it was a bit of a shock.

[amidaiwish]

i had the injection both times, didn't really think about it just went "yeah get on with it" and within a minute it all just came out. i was snuggling with new baby at the time and barely noticed.

however, i puked a lot after both DDs births - apparently that is common after the injection! (found that out on mumsnet). i had thought it was the epidural (DD1) or the big pack of haribos i ate in labour (DD2)