Postpartum - 1 week - Retained Membranes - Advice?

[Lizbiz]

Hi UC Mamas,

Well, our babe is 8 days old and doing just great! She was born Christmas Eve.

I am also well, but have a bit of a problem. I went in for a follow up exam with my OB, and she gave me an ultrasound. Turns out I have some retained membranes. She suggested frequent uterine massage and to keep an eye on my bleeding. If anything gets too heavy, I'm supposed to go back in to see her asap. Otherwise, I'm going in for another follow up in two weeks.

So... any other advice to help these membranes move along and also avoid too much blood loss or infection? Herbal remedies? Anything else I can do?

So far, I am massaging my uterus quite often and it does seem to help lessen the bleeding significantly and keep my uterus contracted.

On a Yay for UC note: The OB did a vaginal exam and said, "Oh my goodness, you look perfect! With women like you, I'll be out of a job in no time!" I think my OB is great, btw... but I wanted to tell her, "This is often what happens when you just get out of the way and let a woman birth!"

Thanks for any advice you can give!

~Liz

[Natalie's Mama]

Not quite the same but I had retained tissue after a miscarriage and used acupuncture to avoid a d and c. I got some herbs too but I can't remember if that was for the tissue or to boost me up to get ready to ttc again.

[ann_of_loxley]

Angelica is for retained placenta isnt it?... would make sense it would work on some bits left behind?
Accupuncture is great for a lot fo things as well! So worth a go with that too!
Wouldn't hurt to continue toning that uterus with some RRL either.

I had some retained membranes after my son was born and ended up having to take antibiotics - that was only a few days after he was born as well so infection set in quickly (probably because I had a section with him!) I guess (I came down suddently with fever, chills, shaking, etc) - but then it shortly passed out on its own after that.

[KristaDJ]

Angelica! I retained some membranes for 24 hours after my UC (they were hanging out actually, yuck lol) I took angelica every few hours and it caused good contractions. I also took lots of vitamin c to help fight off infection since I had a pathway into the uterus.

[Earthy Birthy]

Make a strong tea of oregano (just regular dried oregano), drink it quickly and as hot as possible, then sit on the toilet. A lot of times whatever is in there causing problems (placenta, membranes, clots) will just fall right out.

Repeat if necessary (if cramping and/or bleeding increase), and continue the uterine massage.

This has worked for me personally after several of my births (I tend to hang on to clots), and I use it with my clients all of the time.

Congratulations on your new baby and a great UC!