What are the symptoms of retained fetal membranes?

Residual fetal membranes can also be said to be a kind of lochia. Generally speaking, with the good care of the mother, this substance will gradually be discharged. However, if there are still some residues and they are not discharged for a long time, it will often lead to some symptoms. The most common reason is abdominal pain, which can lead to continuous vaginal bleeding. At this time, you should be vigilant, check in time and carry out appropriate treatment.

What are the symptoms of retained fetal membranes?

If bloody lochia lasts for more than 2 weeks and the amount is large, it often indicates that the placenta attachment site is not restored well or there are residual placenta and fetal membranes. If the lochia is not clear one month after delivery and is accompanied by a foul or rotten odor, or is accompanied by abdominal pain and fever, it may be an infection of the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. If it is accompanied by heavy bleeding and the uterus is large and soft, it often indicates that the uterus is poorly restored.

1. Placenta adhesion

It is often manifested as prolonged third stage of labor or bleeding. The length of the third stage of labor has a significant relationship with the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage. When the third stage of labor lasts for more than 10 minutes, the amount of postpartum blood loss increases significantly, and when it lasts for more than 20 minutes, the increase in blood loss is more obvious.

2. Placental retention after detachment

It is mostly due to weak uterine contractions, weak abdominal muscles of the mother, or a full bladder, so that although the placenta has been completely detached from the uterine wall, it is retained in the uterine cavity, further affecting uterine contractions and causing bleeding.

Treatment

1. If the situation is not serious or no abnormalities occur temporarily, uterotonics and antibiotics can be used.

2. If the placenta is adhered or the expelled placenta is defective, artificial placental separation should be performed to remove the placenta or residual placental tissue. If it is difficult to remove the residual placenta, a large blunt curette can be used to scrape it out. If the placenta is incarcerated above the stenotic ring and is difficult to remove manually, it can be removed by dilating it with the fingers under general anesthesia.

3. While taking effective hemostatic measures according to the cause of the disease, shock prevention and treatment must be actively carried out.

4. Prevent infection. Excessive blood loss may reduce the body's resistance, leading to puerperal infection or even sepsis, which is life-threatening. Therefore, large amounts of antibiotics should be given after delivery, and anemia should be actively corrected and nutrition should be strengthened.