Retained Placenta: Signs & Symptoms

 

What is a retained placenta?

A rare complication in pregnancy, retained placenta refers to a condition wherein the membranes remain in the womb after child-birth. This accumulation of membranes can cause serious conditions unless treated properly.

Causes for retained placenta

• A result of the uterus unable to contract post delivery
• A rare occurrence where the umbilical cord snaps
• Membranes and the placenta accumulating on the deep lining of the uterus 

Signs and symptoms of retained placenta

The most effective sign to observe is whether or not the placenta has been delivered after delivery. While this works in most cases, in certain conditions it has been noted that only a part of the placenta was delivered and a part of it still remained inside. A retained placenta can give certain signs and symptoms such as: 

• High fever 
• Heavy vaginal bleeding 
• Large tissues discharged by the uterus 
• Vaginal discharge with a foul smell 

 Delivery of the placenta

In case of a cesarean birth, the placenta is automatically delivered. But, in a vaginal or natural delivery, the doctor may choose between these two options - Active Management and Physiological Management. 

In the first option, the mother will be injected with a drug which helps the uterus contract better and which will help the placenta leave the inner wall of the uterus.

Treatment for retained placenta

A gynaecologist in Bangalore will first do a physical examination of the vagina in order to locate the retained placenta. Since this is a mildly painful procedure, the doctor may put you on anaesthesia. If the location of the placenta indicates a condition known as ‘sitting in the cervix’, the doctor would go in for a manual removal of placenta which is not a very cumbersome process. 

Although a very simple procedure, manual removal of placenta must be done a few hours after the delivery to prevent major blood loss, which may even lead to more life-threatening conditions such as post-partum haemorrhage. If you observe any of the signs / symptoms mentioned above, immediately contact your gynaecology hospital in Bangalore. 

A retained placenta is a very rare condition, amounting to almost only 3% of all vaginal deliveries and poses negligible risk for Cesarean deliveries.