Manual placenta removal

[inaweofmommyhood]

Does anyone know of a reason why a midwife would immediately remove a placenta manually after birth? Is blood loss a reason?

I took the rest of what I had first written out, but would still appreciate input to my original question. It is just not healthy for me to think about the negative stuff at this time. I think I need some sleep and need to get my hormones back on track so I can process it rationally. I thank you all so much for your supportive responses - that is one of the reasons I feel I need to concentrate on the positive - you all have reminded me on the congrats of this precious child. Thank you again - you all have helped so much.

[ShwarmaQueen]

First of all congrats on your delivery! :

I'm no expert in MW births, but that doesn't sound normal to me either. Maybe there is some other reason beyond what you remember that led her to do that. If I were you, I'd ask her why it was necessary! As for the assistants, I would have been pissed off and probably screamed at them to leave. I could hardly handle my husband being there, much less people I didn't know.

I'm sorry you are depressed. It is hard to feel emotionally strong after all you've been through. Try to rest and nurse as much as possible. Hang in there!

[HarperRose]

It's not right and if you feel like it bothers you, then there is a reason why. My mw tried to manually extract my placenta by pulling on the cord. I told her no and she stopped immediately. That bothered me in a huge way! My doctor did not listen to me, he just manually got the placenta out and stitched me up.

Both of those experiences led me to UC for my youngest (8 mos ago). Nobody manually extracted my placenta and nobody rolled their eyes at me and nobody said or did anything that shouldn't have been done.

You're not alone. Everything will be ok eventually, but you have every right to be upset and angry about this.

Talk to someone about the depression.

[inaweofmommyhood]

Thank you for your support - both of you. I needed it.

[lrlittle]

That sounds really hard. I'm so sorry. Is there a birth support group or anything similar where you live?

[shockels]

I don't live in texas, but saw your post and had to reply. First I am so sorry for your experience. My first attempt at a homebirth 3 years ago didn't go at all how I expected and has led me to find a different midwife this time for sure! I am hoping for my healing to really be complete after this next birth.

As for manual extraction, I am curious if you mean just pulling on the cord, or actually putting her hand up inside your uterus? There can be reasons for both. If you were bleeding alot and the midwife was unsure of the source she might want to get the placenta out quickly in order to assess (like for example if it was a cervical laceration). But I'm talking a LOT of blood here, more than the normal post partum amount.

Manual extraction (at least in the hospital setting) means the provider will go into your uterus with their hand and pull the placenta out. This usually happens later after the birth (few hours maybe) if they think your uterus has retained pieces of placenta (which can cause bleeding as well).

Perhaps none of this is your situation but I thought info might help you process and frame questions for your midwife. I encourage you to speak with your midwife, not only for your peace of mind, but also for any info for your next birth.

I don't know if you can ever fully heal from an intense birth experience, but I do feel like you can ultimately process it in a way that lets you move forward.


Hugs mama,

~Sandra

[Beccadoula]

I believe there is a thread for birth traumas...and you were not treated right! It sounds like this midwife and assistant were way out of line, and were practicing obstetrics, not midwifery. I am soooo very sorry you had this experience, what a disapointing thing. You have every right to feel confused, hurt or angry about this...you might want to contact ICAN, they have birth trauma counseling, I believe. It might really help you recover to confront them with a letter or even have your husband help you call them? They need to know how badly they messed up this experience for you...they should have been in your face helping you cope with the pains and providing every imaginable relief...

Once again...I am so sorry this happend.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!!!

[teachermom]

that is not ok.

I have seen a manual removal of the placenta (or rather parts of it) done once, and only after heavy postpartum bleeding could not be stopped. to do so just after delivery without giving it time to come out on its own is very unusual with midwives.
I also feel that your midwife way overstepped bounds by bringing so many people to your birth with out clearing it with you. I am sorry that you have had this experience.
If you are still feeling weird in your lower regins, go see another midwife and get it checked out. texas has a lot of midwives to choose from. there is a wide range in how they practice. unfortunitly some of them (luckily, a small number) practice much more aggressively and controlling than others, including some who have been around a long time.

[HarperRose]

gentlehandsdoula mentioned our birth trauma tribe. It's here.

And this is my post. I cried through the whole thing even though the wounds were nearly 8 yrs old when I wrote it 5 mos ago.

I can't really bring myself to read it again right now or even view that tribe. It still hurts.

[annettemarie]

I'm going to go ahead and move this to Birth and Beyond. Please feel free to post in FYT if you are looking for local resources.

[StarMama]

Oh mama! I don't know the full situation but I would definately speak to her about it and see someone about the odd sensation.

I would also urge you to try to treat your depression in whatever way feels best to you. I had PPD with my first and didn't treat and it was very difficult. Now that I've started medications prior to this pregnancy for depression and anxiety as well as therapy I've found it really does help a lot. There are lots of herbal routes to take as well, and a very helpful ppd forums here.

Big big hugs and congrats on your new wee one!!

[mytwogirls]

I had to have both my placenta manually extracted after each delivery because after an hour they would not deliver on their own and I was diagnosed with placenta accreta after the first delivery. I had to have a D&C done after the delivery of my first child because my doc did not remove it all (it was a TINY piece left over, could only be seen on ultrasound) and immediately after the delivery of my second daughter, I began bleeding and they could not control the bleeding and my placenta would not delivery on its own. Once manually extracted (AGAIN!) my doc had to perform an emergency hysterectomy because my uterus could not be saved and my accreta was worse after the second delivery. It was a fun experience. I do not blame my doc, they did what they had to do to save my life. I wish you the best and hope it all works out for you. Please keep us updated.

[inaweofmommyhood]

Thanks again everyone. Your posts have helped me. I can't decide whether to edit my post mostly out because it just brings stuff up again that I am trying not to think about - or add to it to get it off my chest - I can't decide and now I feel guilty for even saying anything at all - (one minute - the next minute I want to complain some more) Depression and hormones and sleep deprivation - a winning combination :-)

[mytwogirls]

Oh mama, I remember those days for sure. Please take care of yourself and I hope you get some much needed and deserved rest.

[rabbitmum]

I'm sorry you had to go through this awful experience.

I would definitely ask the midwife why she did what she did, tell her what I thought about her bringing extra people to the birth, and use a different midwife the next time.