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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Injection for birthing the placenta...Opinions and stories please!

53 replies

AlwaysTryingToHelp · 29/03/2023 15:10

I am pretty much set on all of my birth 'preferences'. I know things don't always go the way you want them to during birth and labour but I feel I factored this in and I feel informed enough to make the decision (with my DH) at the time if needed.

The only thing I am still unsure about is if I should have the injection for birthing the placenta after birth ? I am asking for delayed cord clamping (Waiting until it is white), and everything I have read has said to have the injection after that time.

I just wanted to know peoples views and experiences with the injection for placenta birth ? Is is really necessary and does it help speed things along ?

Thank you x

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chineapplepunks · 29/03/2023 20:59

I had the injection, I passed the placenta within 15 minutes and hardly lost any blood. If I have another baby I'd definitely have the injection again.

Hatscats · 29/03/2023 21:02

I’ll be declining unless there’s lots of blood loss - didn’t have much loss with my first.

BunsenBurnerBaby · 29/03/2023 21:05

Had it first time (spinal, forceps, injection because they advised) and it made me puke lots. I also had an allergic reaction to it (swelling) which has left a scar. Second time after non medical delivery of twins I didn’t have it and had no problems. Plan on whatever feels right but don’t be married to your birth plan. Neither of mine went to plan, but that’s just how it is.

DisneyGirl2329 · 29/03/2023 21:14

I had the injection. An hour later placenta still wasn't out meant the midwives couldn't leave me alone with my DH and son. I then was trying to push it out with gas and air. I was exhausted at this point. They were prepping me for theatre when the Dr felt around and thought it was safe to just literally pull it out. I then had to go to theatre anyway for a 3rd degree tear. I think I was just unlucky. I was so tired trying to push this bloody placenta out. For me personally (although it didn't work) I would have the injection.

Hazelnuttella · 29/03/2023 21:21

I had the injection and then had to have another one because I was losing too much blood (nearly a litre in total). I was horrendously anaemic afterwards - could barely walk up the stairs. It would have been so much worse if I hadn’t had the injection to start with.

I’d rather risk feeling a bit sick than risk bleeding to death personally.

MummyInBucks · 29/03/2023 21:34

We did delayed clamping. I had planned not to have the injection, but I was bleeding during & after delivery, so they suggested (and it was still a suggestion, not being told to) I have the injection, which I did. I'm sure I felt the placenta come out but I don't remember it at all, there were so many other things in my head at that point and I was exhausted.

Dal8257 · 29/03/2023 21:38

I didn’t have the injection and it came out by itself easily and within 10 minutes. I felt a small contraction and pushed for a few seconds and it was out. I did however breastfeed my baby straight away which I think is supposed to help.

Bibijuju · 30/03/2023 08:48

I wanted to - the midwife encouraged me not to and I ended up birthing the placenta 40 mins later (which did feel like forever!)

Original poster

AlwaysTryingToHelp · 30/03/2023 14:27

Gosh, I didn't expect so many replies!

Thank you all so much, you have given me a lot to think about.

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 30/03/2023 14:28

I had the injection. I wanted all the messy stuff over and done with after all of the labour.

They gave me a 5 min wait for the cord, then they clamped and got that after birth out.

OnMyWayToSenility · 30/03/2023 15:25

Weirdly I didn't need it as it came out on its own both times and quicker than they expected!

Just started groaning and few contractions it came out intact! Had no idea you needed the injection until I read this thread

littlese · 30/03/2023 22:38

After being in labour with no pain relief I was just keen to get it all over with so I had the injection. I had enough by that point! Was all very smooth tbh

lemonjam · 30/03/2023 22:47

I chose not to have the injection, no problem with my first two but with my third it was starting to take longer than the midwives liked and I wanted it over with (about 45 mins I think?) so asked them to give me it and the placenta came then no worries.

justanothermummma · 30/03/2023 22:54

I had the injection, didn't cord clamp either. Placenta came out within 10 mins both times, no issue. Both my DDs are healthy, I wasn't willing to risk hemorrhaging or prolonging the birth 'process'.

Total personal choice, there's risks associated with everything, just do what's right for you. But don't get your heart too set on anything during labour because baby decides! Both my plans said 'have a healthy baby' because what will be, will be!

Good luck OP x

BeeandG · 30/03/2023 23:10

Honestly I think I had the injection both times. But like a previous poster after my 2nd dd was an emergency forceps delivery I just did as they said. I lost a lot of blood so it was probably for the best. I'm struggling to recall really as the whole thing was very overwhelming.

PritiPatelsMaker · 30/03/2023 23:12

First DC cord was cut instantly and he had jaundice. I had the injection and was horribly sick from it 🤮

Second DC had delayed cord cutting and no injection. Was so, so much better and no jaundice

1stWorldProblems · 30/03/2023 23:32

The injection isn't standard in all countries - when I had my kids a decade ago, my French friends were surprised that the 3rd stage was almost always managed in the UK - they had a higher trigger for blood loss & only recommend the injection if you have a family history of haemorrhage.

I was anti-injection for DD1 but agreed after a long & exhausting stage 2 (bloody big headed children). I still wish I hadn't as my placenta didn't come away & a lovely experienced midwife had to help pull it out (it was a more painful & weird experience than the birth even with gas & air - I could feel each finger of the placenta 'pinging' off). I'm grateful for her skill as the next stage would have been a general & poss an operation.

So I'm a No but with the option for yes if you need it but it shouldn't be the default.

sequincardi · 30/03/2023 23:40

Tbh once baby is in your arms you just want to cuddle so for me the injection wss a no brainier

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 30/03/2023 23:52

I was given the injection with my first baby without my knowledge or consent which made me furious. I already know my body is very good at getting placentas out and I don’t expect to be jabbed with needles unexpectedly by someone I have just met, without permission, warning or explanation.

I refused with all other pregnancies and there was never a difference in getting the placentas out, they all followed the baby within minutes with no need for gravity or feeding or tugging. They just slide out.

We always left the cord for later and used cord ties instead of the plastic clips.

shieldmaiden7 · 30/03/2023 23:57

I've had the injection for all of mine. No regrets and will do it again with this baby. I don't think my anxiety would cope with waiting for to come naturally

BabyTa · 31/03/2023 15:25

Like others have said I have no memory of the placenta delivery as it was immediate after the injection. Highly recommend it. Why would you want to hang around - meant I could hold and feed my baby immediately

Hatscats · 31/03/2023 15:32

You can still hold and feed your baby immediately without the injection - feeding helps the placenta to detach.

Poppins2016 · 31/03/2023 15:34

I basically wrote 'wait and see - happy to have the injection if necessary' in both of my birth plans. With baby number 1, I delivered in the pool, had some lovely skin to skin and then got out after I lost a little blood and felt a bit lightheaded. The placenta 'slipped out' in between the pool and the hospital bed! With baby number 2, I gave birth and had skin to skin in the pool, then delivered the placenta in the pool too. Both times, I delivered the placenta so quickly/naturally that there wasn't any time to think about the injection. So it may just be a conversation that you simply don't need to have!

Retrain12345 · 31/03/2023 17:21

I had the injection all 3 times. Not sure about anyone else but I felt horribly uncomfortable until it was out! I also hated the feeling of the cord and couldn’t wait for it to be over!

Original poster

AlwaysTryingToHelp · 03/04/2023 16:27

Thank you for everyone's comments!

I am going to go with @Poppins2016 'wait and see - happy to have the injection if necessary' on my birth preferences.

I am hoping for a water birth, so will see if gravity takes over when I get out of the pool, if not by the time I have settled into bed I will have the injection!

Thank you so much, you have all made me feel so much better about it all 😊

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