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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Placental abruption

15 replies

hellohithere · 30/10/2021 19:27

Hey! Bit of a weird one but wondering if anyone is in the same position.
I had a traumatic birth. Started bleeding heavily at home, called an ambulance and ended up in an emergency c section. Both me and baby were fine in the end but I did lose quite a lot of blood and ended up with post natal Pre eclampsia which was not fun to day the least. Lol
Two things: when the ambulance crew arrived they didn't check the baby once, was only concerned about me? With all the bleeding I thought the worst and them not checking my tummy kind of made me think they felt the same? Is that normal?
Also, the surgeon said I had quite a big placental abruptiln in that I lost a lot of blood. I can't stop thinking about it, almost daily. Is this normal? I replay the whole thing In my head daily. I'm on Sertraline for anxiety due to the whole birth and after care situation which I won't go into. I'm just wondering if anyone else is in the same situation and thinks about the birth al the time!?!!! It was 7 months ago I should add.
Thanks! Xx

OP posts:
AluckyEllie · 30/10/2021 19:53

I can’t answer all of your questions but there isn’t much the ambulance crew could do for baby- they can’t perform caesareans if the baby needed to be delivered. All they can do is keep you safe and get your to hospital where the people that can do those things are, and give them a heads up that they are on the way. What about the abruption do you keep thinking about?

Certainly I can see why you keep thinking about it and replaying it in your head, it must have been a huge shock. You go through pregnancy expecting a normal labour and boom- it’s chaotic and frightening and you don’t know what’s going on. I imagine it was an emergency situation with all the chaos and buzz that brings. You have done so well, you have my sympathies because it sounds terrifying and I hope someone else can offer more advice. Can you ask for a debrief on the birth- sometimes they offer those with a midwife or the medical team although I’m not sure if too much time has passed

RandomMess · 30/10/2021 19:55

What a traumatic thing.

Their priority will have been you, all they could do was try keep you calm and get you to a hospital.

Have you had a full debrief over what happened with a north reflections service, that may help go through what actually happened.

MiniMaxi · 30/10/2021 19:55

Hi OP, I had an abruption too. The ambulance crew I think make sure the mother is stable before they check the baby’s status, that is normal. I also think it is normal to have a degree of PTSD after a major abruption. I certainly think I did though it was never diagnosed (I didn’t seek a diagnosis). Go easy on yourself Smile

50shadesofknackered · 30/10/2021 20:02

I had a parental abruption but it happened while I was in hospital. Both of us are fine but it was touch and go with my daughter as she was unresponsive and very poorly when she was born. I can honestly say, it is the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to me. I still can't talk about it without crying and it was 10 years ago. You are obviously still trying to process it so give yourself some time. As for the paramedics, I think the there are several factors involved. Firstly, there is not much they can do for the baby but get you to hospital, secondly, if they keep you safe and conscious that will help the baby and third, the mother is always the priority. That is not what most of us would wish but it is the truth from a medical perspective. I am pleased you are both ok

absolutelynotfabulous · 30/10/2021 20:03

I had a placental abruption at 29 weeks. I had an emergency C-section under gs and no, I don't think about it at all really (it was a while back, mind).

I'm fact, I didn't realise it was a pa until much later. I remember feeling relieved and lucky that dd made it, but not traumatised particularly.

Original poster
hellohithere · 30/10/2021 22:01

Ah thank you all so much, you're all so kind ❤️
I just can't stop thinking about feeling like my waters had gone, but then feeling it and it being bright red, sorry TMI.
Also just how much I bled but also had no idea it was going to happen & why it did happen.
A debrief would be so good, but as you e said I'm not too sure if too much time has passed.
Also every time I come on my period, I get anxious that it's going to go out of control and have blood everywhere like I did with the birth, which I know is totally irrational but happens every month 😕

OP posts:
MiniMaxi · 30/10/2021 23:16

I don’t think they tell you how much you bled. I had a semi-elective C section in the end and during it could hear the surgeons chatting. One said to the other “2 or a 3” and the other replied “hmm 2” or something like that. I know they rate PA severity on a scale of 1-3 so I assume they were debating how bad it had been.

It does get better I promise!!

Switch82 · 30/10/2021 23:20

My cousin had a placental abruption in hospital - 10 years ago. She lost her baby son. She told the nurses but it was picked up too late her baby had passed away. I don’t know the detail I had my DD 8 weeks before her baby. She hasn’t been to see me or my DD in ten years as she’s still suffering all these years on and seeing me/my DS is too hard for her. So I can only imagine your trauma.

Speak to the hospital to get some closure.

Switch82 · 30/10/2021 23:21

Her DS my DD. She has had two sons since.

whitehorsesdonotlie · 31/10/2021 08:16

I'm so sorry, op. A debrief would definitely help - you're not too late. The hospital will have all your notes.

Maybe some counselling would help too? 💐

Original poster
hellohithere · 31/10/2021 19:40

@whitehorsesdonotlie

I'm so sorry, op. A debrief would definitely help - you're not too late. The hospital will have all your notes.

Maybe some counselling would help too? 💐

Ah thank you, I've thought about counselling actually but always decided not too as I felt silly! Maybe I should do it xx
OP posts:
squee123 · 31/10/2021 19:45

Definitely not too late for a debrief. Many people have them a way down the line.

lavenderhoneyfig · 31/10/2021 19:53

I have found this website quite helpful www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/# You can ask for debrief through PALS or through your health visitor.

Original poster
hellohithere · 01/11/2021 15:27

Ahhh thank you all so much. ❤️

OP posts:
AJOC · 09/12/2023 22:57

Hi,
I know this is an old thread and I'm so sorry of this is triggering to have a notification pop up again.
I had a similar experience 6 months ago - and am struggling emotionally from it all! Hence, the reason I've come across your post! My baby and I are fine (although I'm constantly on edge with his development as I feel something will crop up in the future as a result). I just wanted to check and see how you are? Did things get easier as time went on? Sending hugs

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