PPH is more likely during LSCS too. A retained placenta may be separated and trapped behind the cervix, it may also be trapped behind a full bladder which can also stop the uterus contracting down, it can also be because the placenta has not separated completely from the uterine wall, this can be for various reasons but this risk increases for pregnancies subsequent to a LSCS, (or any surgery that leaves a scar on the uterus.
Christine -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Andrea Quanchi Sent: 05 December 2006 18:06 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] retained placenta & PPH The relationship between retained placenta and PPH is that the uterus that is not empty can not clamp down sufficiently to prevent bleeding from the placental site. Imagine that the placental site is about the size of a bread and butter plate and that this is characterised by masses of bleeding vessels that have sheared off as the placenta seperates. (Much like a huge graze that has had the skin sheared off bleeds) The wall of the uterus is full of fibres which surround these vessels and as the uterus becomes smaller they clamp off the bleeding vessels thus preventing haemorrhaging. While the seperated placenta remains in the uterus the vessels are free to bleed and the uterus can not clamp down sufficiently to prevent it. An elective casearean is not the answer as it may not happen again if the person attending her stops fiddling and leaves things alone. She needs to read up on 3rd stage choices Andrea Quanchi On 05/12/2006, at 3:28 PM, Kristin Beckedahl wrote: Hi all, Was chatting to a woman y'day re her first birth. She has very fast labour "woke up and was 6cm!", laboured for another 2.5hrs, reached 10cm "then they gave me the epidural"(which I am still wondering about?!?) Bub was posterior so "this allowed him to turn otherwise he wouldnt have come out or it would have been very messy!!". (again wondering about the messages this woman received or perceived..) Anyway, she went on to have a retained placenta (I'm presuming she had synto for 3rd stage) and began bleeding quite badly. How is a retained placenta and PPH related, or is it? I thought a retained placenta had come off the uterine and was caught behind closed/closing cervix? Please correct me if I am wrong... Anyway, her Ob has suggested an elective CS for her next baby (due May) to avoid this happening again - what the?! ggrrrrrrrrrrr Kristin CBE & Naturopath _____ Advertisement: Meet Sexy Singles Today @ Lavalife - Click here <http://g.msn.com/8HMAENAU/2737??PS=47575> -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe.
