bladder displacement

[Banana731]

Is this basically what it sounds like, the bladder is moved somehow? What causes it? How common is this after labor? Can it be prevented?

Thanks in advance!

[wombjuice]

Could this have been a case of uterine displacement due to a full bladder?  Or possibly bladder distension instead of displacement?

I've never really heard of postpartum bladder displacement, though that does not mean it doesn't exist, as I'm still a learning student.  I could see how the bladder could be displaced during labor, but as long as the uterus contracts back down to normal size (involution) postpartum, the bladder should move back to where it's supposed to be (in a non-pregnant body).

I'd be interested in hearing others' responses! :)

[Banana731]

Not being there, I only have the term as is. As far as I know her uterus was adequately shrinking. The only additional info I have is that she had to cathed in order to empty her bladder, and then she was fine. So she was retaining urine for some reason, that could have been due to distention, yes?

[wombjuice]

Bladder distension is due to urine retention.  This often happens postpartum if mamas have trouble relaxing their pelvic floor muscles and urethra enough to allow urine to pass through.  It is similar (but much more intense) to trying to pee immediately after having an orgasm.  It takes a minute or two to relax all those muscles and pee.  Giving birth, whether one "feels" like she's having an orgasm or not, truly is like having one giant orgasm and it's difficult to relax those muscles immediately postpartum.

From what you are sharing, it sounds as if her full bladder was causing her uterus to be displaced (usually up and to the right)...this can prevent the uterus from contracting efficiently, and can lead to more bleeding and possibly hemorrhage.  When this happens, if the mother cannot void urine on her own, the midwife (or OB) will insert a catheter to drain the urine so the uterus can contract and move back down beneath the umbilicus where it belongs.