Question regarding PP blood clots

[lotus.blossom]

I gave birth via CS a year ago and there was a procedure that was performed on me that I just haven't been able to mentally get past and I was just wondering if anyone, midwife/nurse/OB could explain to me what it was or if it was really necessary.

After my very long and difficult labor which resulted in an emergency CS my uterus was not shrinking and even though the nurse was performing uterine massage and they had me hooked up to pitocin they decided that they needed to remove the clots. The doctor reached her hand up into my uterus and pulled them out. Is there a name for this? During the procedure I cannot even explain to you how humiliating and excrutiating it was. Even on morphine I remember the impact of this and will always be haunted by it.

I am in the process of requesting my records from the hospital but I thought maybe someone could shed some light on this here.

[Jane]

Sweeping for clots or removing clots is the only name I know. The uterus is most effective at closing off the vessels when it's smallest. Having clots in there prevents good contractions, causing more bleeding and lots more pain. Sometimes, a few good pitocin induced contractions can help expel clots in a tired uterus. Walking helps, as does peeing, but those aren't effective if the mother is about to pass out, or is heading there quickly.
Different practioners have different threshholds for doing it. When used properly, it's very effective and stops the bleeding and usually results in less pain. When not needed, it's torture, plain and simple.

[lotus.blossom]

Thank you for shedding some light on the situation. I'm sure it was needed but it was torture nonetheless. The Dr. was amazed that I didn't bleed during the surgery. I wish I knew why. I'm hoping to get more information when I get my charts.

[Jane]

After a long and difficult labor, the uterus can be very tired. Even though they are doing surgery, it's up to your uterus to stop the bleeding - there's nothing they can do that's even close to as effective as a nicely working uterus. If your uterus was severely distended by clots, the doc may have assumed that it was very tired and was surprised it contracted well during the closing.
Working with women who want home births, those that end up with a cesearian section usually do so after long labors, and are most at risk for complications like infection or bleeding post-partum, more than someone with a schedule section for breech, or similar.
It helps to have hard-labor-type support when the clot removal happens. Someone holding your hand, looking at your face, telling you it's almost over. I think it also helps to have privacy and maybe not to know the exact details "I'm going to go in and sweep away clots - it will be very painful, so you'll need to concentrate to hold still and breathe through it - hold the nurse's hand" is probably better than an indepth description being given to a medical student to do it.

I do recommend getting your records, and going over them with a midwife or other knowledgeable person with counselling experience. Sometimes you get more complete records by telling them you want to look at them to understand more and b/c you're planning another pregnancy, not b/c you're suing (often the doc's first thought). Sometimes getting a midwife to request all previous records is easier than doing it yourself.

[lotus.blossom]

Thank you so much for your insight! I had a serious bonding experience with the nurse who was caring for me during the procedure. She was amazing. When I saw her again 3 days later she actually cried with me. I'm teary just thinking about it. The doctor was going to hand it off to a medical student but my nurse put her foot down and said that she knew the (woman) docs hands were the smallest and that she wanted her to do it. Its all coming a bit more clear to me now. I think I will get some counseling about it as my whole long labor-transfer from birthing center was not what I planned or expected.

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom

...When I saw her again 3 days later she actually cried with me. I'm teary just thinking about it. The doctor was going to hand it off to a medical student but my nurse put her foot down and said that she knew the (woman) docs hands were the smallest and that she wanted her to do it...

Wow! I've been treated for PTSD from an aggressively and paternalistically over-managed homebirth. The idea of transferring before a birth gives me dread.

I appreciate your sharing about this special nurse. It does my heart good.

Take gentle care,
BV