{"id":25592,"date":"2021-12-15T16:59:20","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T22:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/?p=25592"},"modified":"2023-06-01T04:12:23","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T10:12:23","slug":"retained-placenta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/healthy-pregnancy\/labor-and-birth\/retained-placenta\/","title":{"rendered":"Retained Placenta"},"content":{"rendered":"

The final stage of labor occurs when the placenta<\/a> is expelled from the mother’s uterus<\/a>. For many women, this process happens on its own after the baby has come through the birth canal. However, for some, this process doesn’t happen automatically, resulting in a phenomenon called retained placenta.<\/p>\n

What Is a Retained Placenta?<\/h2>\n

Labor takes place in three stages:<\/p>\n

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  1. The first stage of labor begins with contractions that indicate that the uterus is preparing to deliver a baby.<\/li>\n
  2. Once a woman has given birth, the second stage of labor is complete.<\/li>\n
  3. The final stage of labor takes place when the placenta is expelled from the woman’s womb. This\u00a0stage usually takes place within 30 minutes of the baby’s birth.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    However, if the woman has not expelled the placenta after 30 minutes of delivery, this is considered a retained placenta<\/strong>.\u00a0If a retained placenta is not treated, the mother is susceptible to both infection and extreme blood loss, which could be life-threatening.<\/p>\n

    Two Approaches to Delivering the Placenta<\/h3>\n

    If your pregnancy has moved through the labor and birth<\/a> stages normally, you can choose how to handle the final stage of labor. This\u00a0process is usually a part of a woman’s birth plan<\/a> discussion.<\/p>\n

    There are generally two approaches used when dealing with the placenta, whether a natural approach or a managed approach.<\/p>\n

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    1. A natural approach allows the woman’s body to naturally expel the placenta on its own.<\/li>\n
    2. Medical personnel assists the managed approach and usually, occurs when a shot is administered to the thigh while the baby is being born to cause the woman to expel her placenta.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Syntometrine, ergometrine, and oxytocin are the drugs used to cause a woman’s body to contract and push out the placenta. If a woman has had complications<\/a> like high blood pressure<\/a> or preeclampsia<\/a> during her pregnancy, Syntocinon is given.<\/p>\n

      The benefit of opting for a managed final stage of labor is the reduction in bleeding immediately after the baby is born.<\/p>\n

      Three Types of Retained Placenta<\/h3>\n
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      1. Placenta Adherens: occurs when the contractions of the womb are not robust enough to completely expel the placenta. This results in the placenta remaining loosely attached to the wall of the uterus. This is the most common type of retained placenta.<\/li>\n
      2. Trapped Placenta: is when the placenta successfully detaches from the uterine wall but fails to be expelled from the woman’s body it is considered a trapped placenta. This usually happens as a result of the cervix closing before the placenta has been expelled. The Trapped Placenta is left inside the uterus.<\/li>\n
      3. Placenta Accreta:<\/a> is when the placenta attaches to the muscular walls of the uterus instead of the lining of the uterine walls. Delivery becomes more difficult and often results in severe bleeding. Blood transfusions and even a hysterectomy may be required.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        What Causes a Retained Placenta?<\/h3>\n