A Placenta is derived from both maternal and foetal tissue, with approximately one-fifth derived from foetal tissue at term.

It comprises numerous functional units called villi, which are branched projections of the foetal circulation, allowing the transfer of metabolic products.

The placenta plays a very important role during pregnancy.

If the placenta is not delivered within 30 (thirty) to 60 (sixty) minutes after childbirth, it is known as retained placenta.

Retained placenta might occur because the placenta becomes trapped behind a partially closed cervix or because the placenta is still attached to the uterine wall, either loosely or deeply.

After delivery of a baby, no matter how premature, if the placenta is retained, it can cause severe infection and/or haemorrhage in the mother.

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms such as heavy bleeding for more than 10 days and/or fever after giving birth, it is vital that you attend at your doctor to ensure the placenta has not been retained.

Your treating obstetrician will perform an ultrasound to verify whether retained placental fragments are present.

When the ultrasound indicates retained products, a number of medications may achieve complete expulsion, eliminating the need for surgery.

However, the alternative to medical treatment should be discussed with your treating physician. If this has occurred to you, there may be a case of clinical negligence because every placenta should be examined after delivery, which should normally alert the midwife or obstetrician to the problem. – ELMAGH KIERNAN

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