retained placenta

Hi Ladies,

Am currently 23 weeks pregnant with number 3 and am now starting to think about the birth a bit... With DD1 it took over an hour to deliver the placenta with a fair bit of trouble... DD2 was a whole lot worse with again it taking an hour but this time rather than it coming out on it's own accord having it basically ripped out in pieces by the doctor... That was more painful than giving birth... So i guess im wondering if anyone has had issues with this have you been able to go on and have a normal 3rd stage of labor...

Thanks

Spoke to the midwife about it at my last appointment and all he said was oh the horrible...but didn't actually answer my question..

i will never forget DS1's placenta... to get it out they squeezed the life out of my belly... it hurt like hell...

DS2 they gave me an injection and i think it came out after 15mins

Sorry I have no advice as I am yet to have my second, but I am very interested to hear ppls responses as I had a retained placenta with DD, and like you it was more painful than the birth (I eventually had to have a manual extraction under GA in theatre) - the MW said to me when I was screaming in agony whilst her whole arm was inside of me "this would have been much easier if you had had an epidural!", oh gee wizz excuse me for having a natural birth! So I am really hoping it doesn't happen again with bubby no. 2.

I also had a completely drug free birth with DD2 and wish i had chosen an epidural as it would have maybe made the 3rd stage manageable ... I think i may opt for the epidural this time just so the placenta delivery isn't as bad...

I would suggested getting your medical records and looking at how your third stage was managed. An hour is hospital policy but not necessarily a sign that you have a retained placenta. You can negotiate to wait longer if you have a physiological third stage with no signs of excessive bleeding. There are also some great homeopathic remedies that help with placenta separation.
Good luck.

Thanks for the info Kenziesma... I think if i can go into it with more knowledge then i can hopefully have more of a say as to what i want done... I have always gone into my labors with an open mind but need to know what i want done if i have a complicated 3rd stage.... wasn't aware that they shouldn't do it without any pain medication, it had taken them an hour to get out but i hadn't lost much blood so wonder if they HAVE to get it out within that time?

Sorry I have no advice as I am yet to have my second, but I am very interested to hear ppls responses as I had a retained placenta with DD, and like you it was more painful than the birth (I eventually had to have a manual extraction under GA in theatre) - the MW said to me when I was screaming in agony whilst her whole arm was inside of me "this would have been much easier if you had had an epidural!", oh gee wizz excuse me for having a natural birth! So I am really hoping it doesn't happen again with bubby no. 2.

I too had a MROP with my first, after a bit of feeling of my stomach and the injection i was taken to theatre to have it removed. I didnt have the same issue with either my second or thrid labours. I had a fantastic dr with number three who talked me through a lot of things and encouraged me to have the needle for the placenta when the baby's head first comes out (before her body was even out) that way i still was having contractions and he said it made it easier for my body to get it out naturally. I took his advice and the placenta came out quickly with no hassles at all.

I gave birth at the Women's and children's hospital in Adelaide.... I had about 3 midwives attempt to get it out with no luck. They then brought in a doctor to have a go... She still wasn't able to get it out.. They put a catheter in thinking my bladder may be full by emptying that it may make it easier.. Had an IV put in as they decided that i would have to go to theater to have it removed and then luckily she got it out. She then had to reach in about another 4 or 5 times to make sure it was all out.. having a 2nd degree tear probably didn't help with the pain of her reaching in there either.. I did breastfeed as soon as bubs was born and was given 2 injections to help get the placenta out... This time i know that if i need for them to manually remove it i will make sure i have some form of pain relief..

I would suggested getting your medical records and looking at how your third stage was managed. An hour is hospital policy but not necessarily a sign that you have a retained placenta. You can negotiate to wait longer if you have a physiological third stage with no signs of excessive bleeding. There are also some great homeopathic remedies that help with placenta separation.
Good luck.

Great advice!