WARNING graphic photo of passed unknown tissue?!?

[Crystalann]

Had DS 13/12/20 vaginal with 2nd degree tear (no stitches) haemorrhage of 650ml immediately and large clots (some palm sized) for the first week. Lochia has remained red in colour, sometimes darker sometimes brighter but always clear red and has stayed at light-to-average period level bleeding.

At the end of December I had phone GP appt as had pain when urinating but this was not burning or weeing sensation pain rather lower abdominal cramp pains. GP said likely UTI and first antibiotics had. 13th Jan spoke to GP (phone) again as foul odour, increased pain and heavier bleeding - prescribed 2 antibiotics for one week. I felt better.
Monday (3rd day no antibiotics) started to get suspicious might not have gone but slight odour and some light pain only.
Thursday - sudden out of the blue huge pain of labour intensity that started at 4pm. By 7pm I had a high temperature (38.4) and couldn’t hold my baby just cried and rocked through the pain so we went to the walk in centre.
Was immediately placed in an isolation room due to temperature (despite us shielding as my husband is vulnerable) no one came until 3 hours later when pain had mostly subsided. Felt fraudulent and was prescribed another two weeks of two antibiotics (same kind as already had before).
Yesterday went to the toilet felt pressure and passed this unpleasant picture. Phoned postnatal ward but was told at 6.5 weeks am not covered by them anymore and to ask GP. Emailed GP photo and symptoms and was told to attend A&E. Went there and bloods ok ish (as expected for bleeding this long) urine test done for pregnancy (negative).
They said 100% this is not retained placenta as the pregnancy test was clear and most likely is fibrous tissue. One wanted to test tissue at the lab but was overruled as unnecessary.
Tissue was different from all other clots - hard in texture and smelled horrid.

I’ve a scan Monday to see if anything else remains but want to know if this isn’t placenta what can it be?!
Anyone know next steps if they do find anything? Anyone experienced similar?

Pork chop?
Sorry no help but bloody hell op!!
Hope you are feeling better now.

Sweet Jesus this is the stuff of nightmares. Seems like you have been through a really shitty 6 weeks. How are you feeling now op?

@Santaiscovidfree

Pork chop? Sorry no help but bloody hell op!! Hope you are feeling better now.

Thank you

@FraggleShingleBellRock

Sweet Jesus this is the stuff of nightmares. Seems like you have been through a really shitty 6 weeks. How are you feeling now op?

Apart from tired spending 2 nights in a row at hospital I’m actually feeling a lot better. Just a bit worried about what caused this and whether it’s over or not. Bleeding is now very bright red but has lightened.

This is totally crazy. Did the drs have no idea? I'd have been torn between insisting it was sent off for histology and being scared of what they would find.

I'm so glad you feel better.

Oh my goodness, in sorry you've had a miserable time. I have no suggestions I'm afraid but just want to wish you well and am intrigued to know if you get answers

This looks like a decidual cast to me (I’ve had two in the past). Maybe look it up and see if it fits? I’m surprised that doctors didn’t know what it was - they are not common but also not unheard of either.

@FraggleShingleBellRock

This is totally crazy. Did the drs have no idea? I'd have been torn between insisting it was sent off for histology and being scared of what they would find.

I'm so glad you feel better.

No, none... and A&E was rammed so felt I couldn’t insist on anything and just wanted to leave (hubby and baby had been waiting in the car nearly 4hrs for me)

Overnight however all bleeding has stopped! So taking it very easy to stop whatever is internally trying to heal from restarting. The improvement though has made me less worried for tomorrow.

@SinkGirl

This looks like a decidual cast to me (I’ve had two in the past). Maybe look it up and see if it fits? I’m surprised that doctors didn’t know what it was - they are not common but also not unheard of either.

I will certainly look that up! Would that explain why it ward a hard mass? Following this did your bleeding cease quickly?

@SinkGirl

This looks like a decidual cast to me (I’ve had two in the past). Maybe look it up and see if it fits? I’m surprised that doctors didn’t know what it was - they are not common but also not unheard of either.

Pretty much what I thought when I saw the title before clicking. They usually are.

Everything I’m looking up on this suggests this is usually associated with ectopic pregnancy or hormonal contraceptives - neither are applicable. Is this something that can happen at 6 weeks postpartum without these elements? It’s relieving that it says there are generally no further complications.

I wish they could X-ray it. I thought decidual casts were soft and squishy because it’s the womb lining being shed all at once. To me, it looks like a twin fetus that didn’t survive. Thus being hard mummified look and smelling horrible. Normally it would have come out with afterbirth, but sometimes they are retained and come out later as uterus shrinks back down to pre-pregnancy size.

@PlanDeRaccordement

I wish they could X-ray it. I thought decidual casts were soft and squishy because it’s the womb lining being shed all at once. To me, it looks like a twin fetus that didn’t survive. Thus being hard mummified look and smelling horrible. Normally it would have come out with afterbirth, but sometimes they are retained and come out later as uterus shrinks back down to pre-pregnancy size.

That’s interesting because your description is very accurate of how it was and It really did stink - although I’d had infection already too

It’s called: fetus papyraceus.

I had a decidual cast and it was soft, so I don't think that's the case here x

Whatever it is, I’m sure you will be better off now it’s out. I’d imagine this has been very distressing for you. Especially if you’ve been fobbed off several times.

That’s a really good picture though. The bottom left looks like a fetal head to me, then moving up on right, looks like an arm bent in a V shape...then it’s long and curled like the back and legs would be. It’s all a bit flattened, but that’s what happens. One would cause an infection when retained for six weeks as it’s literally rotting inside you.

Maybe your GP can email the photo to a obstetric pathologist consultant? And get an answer for you? I’d want to know in your shoes.

I hope it is ALL out.

@PlanDeRaccordement

It’s called: fetus papyraceus.

Surely that would show on ultrasound scans?

Was it taken from you in A&E and destroyed? I think you have a right to know. I also can see what PlanDeRaccordement can see, although it's not possible to know from a photo.

I hope you are recovering well.

Well, while the fetus was alive, the ultrasound would show twins and have two heartbeats. But fairly quickly after the death, many ultrasounds don’t pick up on them. It’s why another name is “vanishing twin” When was your first ultrasound?

Thank you. Yes it has been distressing. It’s pretty awful in these Covid times when most “diagnosis’s” are done over telephone consultations and I have felt fobbed off. Just hoping for the scan to show nothing remaining. I do hope for some answers too but not convinced I’ll get them - they aren’t even discussing the scan with me at the appointment. I was told to be scanned and exit immediately and someone will phone me to discuss it “if needed” as they can’t have people in the hospital longer than absolutely necessary.

I honestly cannot believe they let you out of hospital- surely this Is very concerning?
I have no idea op, but gosh please don't be fobbed off or feel a nuisance!

@PlanDeRaccordement

Well, while the fetus was alive, the ultrasound would show twins and have two heartbeats. But fairly quickly after the death, many ultrasounds don’t pick up on them. It’s why another name is “vanishing twin” When was your first ultrasound?

It was really early because I had a suspected miscarriage 1st May but they wouldn’t scan me for a viability check until 10th May

@bitliketonyhares

I honestly cannot believe they let you out of hospital- surely this Is very concerning? I have no idea op, but gosh please don't be fobbed off or feel a nuisance!

Twice! The first night I was just left in a room in immense pain and not even checked for observations for 3 hours! (Despite clear information that my husband works from home as vulnerable and we hadn’t been literally anywhere so was definitely not Covid - didn’t have any other symptoms of that other than temperature and many abdominal symptoms) Then discharged at gone midnight with antibiotics prescription (every pharmacy is shut at that time too)