Injection for placenta removal - anyone NOT had it? Can't decide!

[Picante]

I think it made me sick last time. I also had an epidural last time so had no sensation of the placenta coming out anyway.

I'm planning a homebirth this time and really have no clue - what helped you decide whether to have the injection or not?

if you at home this time, so you dont need any injections - just take your time

I had a natural third stage with DD after I had the injection with DS. It was fine, and much nicer than the horrible yanking that the doctor was doing after the injection .

I had an infection with 'retained products' after the injection so was keen for a natural 3rd stage with DD.

It took about 30 mins, including waiting for the cord to stop pulsing and then a few pushes and out it came. I got to have a good look at it too! I thoroughly recommend it if you haven't seen it before.

However, I also had the same womb infection after DD so it looks like that's just the way I'm built!

One of the consultants told me something cheery while I was spaced out with 40 degree temp because of infection, on a drip in the hospital.... apparently I'd be dead if this had happened to me 100 years ago.... nice....

I had it with my first (hospital)birth which led to much hauling on the cord and pressure tactics (verbal/emotional and physical!) due to the inevitable panic of the midwife followed by inevitable bloodloss.

I didn't have it with my following three (home)births. Physiological 3rd stages (waited for cord to stop pulsating) and each placenta schlooped out in it's own good time, no trauma (emotional or physical), not much difference in length of stage, a shorter time if anything and less bleeding by far. All apart from the final one which took an hour but critically, it was an hour of chilling out and baby cuddling/feeding; all good!

Are you planning to breastfeed Picante? Your body will release oxytocin upon latching on if so, if not a similar hormonal response can be acheived by skin to skin snuggling.

Oxytocin closes down the womb, expelling the placenta and shutting all blood vessels as it goes. Syntometrine (the injection) is merely a synthesised version of the same chemical and not necessarily better! Not least because it necessitates a time limit for expulsion which is what often creates the panic that leads to intervention.

I can't remember if I had it with dd, but I didn't with ds, very relaxed birth, I had read up about it, then whilst waiting I got impatient, but the midwife just encouraged me to wait, so it was all fine in the end... have to say I found the after pains quite shocking with ds compared to with dd, I wasn't prepared for them, esp after a fairly easy birth.

I had with first as the midwife cocked up my labour and it turned into an emergency (shoulder dystocia) - it was all very hectic but I remember it hurting a bit. With second no injection and it just slopped out easily about 20 mins after birth when ds2 had latched on. I wouldn't bother unless medical reason/traumatic birth.

The resaon why I put not in second birth plan unless was haemorhaging or something was that after nightmare medicalized first birth with monitoring, prodding, poking and jabbing I had a real strong urge to be left the f* alone in labour unless medically dangerous for the baby and I must say, I was lucky enough it worked out that way and it was a much less unpleasnat and traumatic experience.