Retained placenta second time round

[MrsCobes44]

Hi,

When my DS was born I had a retained placenta. I gave birth in a MWLU so I was rushed into hospital by ambulance. My placenta was then manually removed in the operating theatre- some two and a half hours after giving birth so by that point I had lost a lot of blood. So it was a pretty traumatic experience for all involved.

But basically, all I would like to know is those of you that had a retain placenta first time round did you have the same with your second birth or do you know the likelihood of it happening again? I will be under consultant care this time so I am sure they will be able to provide me with some info but I am just interested in hearing your experiences.

Many thanks

Hello,

I'm not sure on the exact risks but I had a retained placenta, manual removal and PPH with both my DD and DS. The second time round they were better prepared so didn't loose as much blood. My Grandma, on the other hand had a retained placenta, manual removal and PPH when she had my mum but 3 years later when she had my Aunt she had a perfectly normal delivery with no complications so having had one doesn't mean you will have a second.

I do know the risk is increased after one and with me they put in a cannula before I delivered ready to give fluids/blood if needed when I went in with DS1. I'm currently 30 weeks with DS2 and under consultant led care but if I had only had the one retained placenta I could still give birth in a MWLU as they have just changed the criteria here as the risk is deemed low enough.

I've come to the conclusion (after many discussions with my midwife and the consultant midwife in the hospital) that there is not a lot that can be done to prevent it happening again but they can at least be prepared for it if it does. That said I'm also waiting for some stats on how often people go on to have a third retained placenta though I'm not sure the are so many people daft enough to do it all again after having had two already!

I had part retained and PPH, ERPC with dd1 so they tried to manage it better second time but it wouldn't budge so ended up with manual removal but no PPH as they acted much quicker. Good luck, hope it's better second time for you.

I had retained placenta, pph and manual removal with first. Felt like death for weeks.

With second (ten days ago) placenta delivered naturally within 15 mins and no pph. I felt fantastic after the birth and still do.

I had the injection both times. I was so anxious second time but it was smooth sailing.

Thank you shushbaby , was watching in hope of a positive story! Had pph, manual removal, retained placenta and a big transfusion last time. I'm not worried about the actual labour but as D Date is less than 4 weeks away now I am becoming increasingly apprehensive about what could come after. I thought they would do things differently but apparently not. I just want it to be normal and without the 'sign here or you girlfriend could die' drama. Am going to have injection, but then had this last time ... Think I need more reassurance...

I had it first time around and am due to have DC2 any time now.

As far as I have been able to determine there are no figures available on the exact increased risk. All they could tell me was, "Less than 50%" (!!!)

Anecdotally, a friend had a PPH with her first and then nothing with her second :)

Also, I happened to be in hospital with DC1 and although I had a serious PPH (3 litres) and it all happened really quickly, I did not find it particularly traumatic. It was very controlled and all the staff were totally calm. Obviously it was a different story for my DP & MIL who were also present, but I was in theatre and knocked out with a general anaesthetic in no time. There was no panic. Just sad of course to have missed those precious few hours with my DS!

All they want to do differently this time is to have a cannula in place, and they want me to go to hospital fairly early (first labour was reasonably fast) to be on the safe side. They will apparently have extra staff on call as a precaution, but I won't see them unless needed. I hope that helps a tiny bit :)

How are you getting on op? Hope it all goes well for you

I had a secondary pph with my first so was under consultant care with second. Had a cannula put in when I went in in labour and blood drawn for type and cross match. Had delivered placenta naturally first time, but due to history had injection second time. Also had two midwives deliver in case of haemorrhage so someone to look after me and someone for baby. But all was good, cannula not used and could have gone home same day (I chose to stay in for one night). Recovery from birth so much easier second time around and nice not to have to be in for 5 days and multiple blood transfusions!

Hello everyone and thank you so much for all your replies.

I had retained placenta following a late miscarriage (17 weeks with twins) which is not uncommon. I did not make it to the OR as I was loosing too much blood and beginning to lose consciousness so the consultant removed it manually without anesthetic.

I had no issue whatsoever with my next delivery.

I know this is not exactly the same situation but I hope it is somewhat reassuring. It is good that the consultant will be prepared for the possibility that it might reoccur.

Cadmum, FFS sake, that's the worst thing I ever heard. You poor sod what a terrible experience.

OP I've had a retained placenta, no stats you haven't already heard though. Just wanted to say Good luck