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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

If you had a retained placenta, did it happen again?

26 replies

SunnySideUp2020 · 11/04/2022 13:50

I had a retained placenta and needed a manual removal with epidural with my first birth last year (otherwise straightforward).

Now due a second in October and I remember my MW telling me it might happen again and to mention it for the next baby.

So if you had it before, what happened with subsequent births?

Any ideas how to avoid it?!... cant find much on the subject online.

OP posts:
RustyShackleford3 · 11/04/2022 13:51

I had it the first time but did not have it the second time. I was very anxious about it with baby 2 and didn't quite believe the midwife that the placenta had come out by itself!

tryingmybest86 · 11/04/2022 13:51

I had a retained placenta with my second child. I had two more children and did not have it again.

HDready · 11/04/2022 14:10

Very similar to you with my first. Second had no problem at all, in fact it came out so quickly the obstetrician dropped it on the floor! Hope all goes well for you.

strawberrysummer19 · 11/04/2022 15:34

@SunnySideUp2020 I had retained placenta with my first in 2011 now pregnant with my 2nd and wondering the same

Was also told it would be high risk chance happening again

I had a horrible experience with it so I'm wondering if I should consider c section or just try again - haven't fully decided x

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 11/04/2022 22:35

My daughter had retained placenta with all three pregnancies.

Also, significant blood loss and transfusions.

FeatherPillowFight · 11/04/2022 22:43

I had it with first and second pregnancy despite being told it was unlikely to happen again. My sister also had it!

APurpleSquirrel · 11/04/2022 22:50

I had it with my first; was terrified of having it again (plus massive haemorrhage & tearing). Ended up having a C-section as DS decided to reverse back up after Labour started, so no idea if I'd have had it second time.

BabyB19 · 12/04/2022 22:09

Following out of curiosity as I had it first time and now 31 weeks and worried it will happen again. Also debating a C-section because I'm dreading it that much!

HardbackWriter · 12/04/2022 22:13

No, thankfully! I discussed it with the midwife at length because I was considering a home birth for my second and she said that you are at raised risk of a retained placenta if you've had one before but it's by no means a certainty or even the more likely option that it'll happen again (she was happy to recommend a home birth to me even given the previous retained placenta).

Tronkmanton · 12/04/2022 22:14

I had it with my first baby but not my second.

FourHigh · 12/04/2022 22:19

Yes with 1st, no with 2nd or 3rd. My friend also had it with 1st but not 2nd. Really know way to know, every birth has been so different, try not to think about it. Nothing you can do!

Tryingtohelp23 · 12/04/2022 22:37

Not retained with baby1 - even though midwife forgot the injection that helps to expel it. Retained with baby 2 and opted for a general anaesthetic for its removal.
Good luck this time. Sounds like there’s no pattern to it. 💐

Auntypine · 12/04/2022 22:40

I had it with my first, was warned I might have it again, but no problems at all with the second.

Cleanbedlinen12 · 12/04/2022 22:44

So that’s what it was. My partner lifted the sheet as I was so cold in the night and discovered I was haemorrhage ing. The midwife shoved her arm up there and massaged it out and no, no painkillers at all. I think I’m still in shock actually. Mainly that this wasn’t even commented on. I think if a man had been through this it would be different.

Original poster
SunnySideUp2020 · 13/04/2022 10:22

Thanks for all the answers! Gives me hope!

OP posts:
ALittleBitofVitriol · 13/04/2022 11:13

I had it with my 2nd, but not any of the next 2.

I think the reason why it retained, if they were able to tell you, makes a difference. Mine retained due to a cord break after traction due to a missed cord malformation. If it was retained due to something like a uterine abnormality then I'd assume it's higher risk of happening again.

Hugs though, I get the fear, it's an awful experience.

Original poster
SunnySideUp2020 · 13/04/2022 11:30

@ALittleBitofVitriol thanks 😊

They didn't say why it happened but while waiting for the placenta to come out after pushing out baby I started having a very high fever, was obviously bleeding and my uterus was not contracting anymore despite injection in the thigh and pitocin drip.
I was very poorly and weak and after the placenta removal and tests they told me I had chorioamnionitis, an infection of membranes and water.

So I want to say it was because of this and hopefully next time there won't be any infection (which I had 0 signs of having during labor).

OP posts:
JustALittleHelpPlease · 13/04/2022 11:39

I did with labour 1 but not with subsequent - however I spent a lot of time discussing it with midwives and consultants (plus my own research) and ultimately decided not to have the injection post delivery. Apparently it can cause the womb to close down to quickly in some women causing the retention. It is particularly known in precipitate labour (very fast delivery) I'd suggest you have a chat with your midwife and see if that could have been a factor in your delivery and if it may benefit you to try without it. (Obviously each circumstance is different so this may not be a factor in your case)

timeisnotaline · 13/04/2022 11:53

I had it with 1, not 2 then again with 3. With no 3 I had a very experienced obstetrician who did the manual removal (which was not enjoyable) and there is a structural cause- instead of being smooth there’s a ‘shelf’ in my uterine wall, so I guess for #2 the placenta attached somewhere else, and if I went back for #4 there’d be a good chance.

Wirh #1 the midwife was not authorised to remove it manually and I went to theatre, #3 was an extremely experienced obstetrician so I personally wouldn’t go near a home birth.

ALittleBitofVitriol · 14/04/2022 01:55

@JustALittleHelpPlease

I did with labour 1 but not with subsequent - however I spent a lot of time discussing it with midwives and consultants (plus my own research) and ultimately decided not to have the injection post delivery. Apparently it can cause the womb to close down to quickly in some women causing the retention. It is particularly known in precipitate labour (very fast delivery) I'd suggest you have a chat with your midwife and see if that could have been a factor in your delivery and if it may benefit you to try without it. (Obviously each circumstance is different so this may not be a factor in your case)
I came to the same conclusion and refused a managed 3rd stage with my subsequent births. Part of why my retained placenta turned into a haemorrhage was due to the injection causing the uterus to clamp down. One of my subsequent placentas did take about 40mins to naturally expel. My midwives were very very good.
Original poster
SunnySideUp2020 · 14/04/2022 16:13

Oh thanks for this. You know what? I did think about that. So i will definitely bring it up when it's time and wont get the injection straight away!

@timeisnotaline i dont think midwifes can do it tbh? For me it was also an obstetrician who was brought in with proper setting like tools, sheets and all.

OP posts:
ChloeHel · 14/04/2022 16:16

Oh wow, I had a retained placenta for my first birth in 2020 and midwife didn’t mention anything about it being more likely for my second!

Great! Let’s hope not!

HardbackWriter · 14/04/2022 16:22

@SunnySideUp2020

Oh thanks for this. You know what? I did think about that. So i will definitely bring it up when it's time and wont get the injection straight away!

@timeisnotaline i dont think midwifes can do it tbh? For me it was also an obstetrician who was brought in with proper setting like tools, sheets and all.

Yes, I had mine manually removed in room (with just gas and air, which was worse than giving birth!) but by an obstetrician, and she was very close to sending me to theatre when it finally came out. When the midwife and I discussed if it happened again during a home birth she was clear that I would have to transfer to hospital in that scenario, the midwife wouldn't have tried to solve it at home.
BabyB19 · 23/09/2022 14:28

Just for future users coming across this, my placenta came away naturally this time 🎉

Original poster
SunnySideUp2020 · 23/09/2022 15:59

@BabyB19 ohhh great!!!! Happy for you.
I am going to deliver in the next 2 weeks so will update as well :)

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