Introduction
The placenta, also called the placenta, develops during pregnancy at the mucous membrane of the uterus and establishes the connection between mother and fetus via the umbilical cord. It is very well supplied with blood and supplies the unborn child with all important nutrients and oxygen. After birth, the placenta is no longer needed, so it detaches from the uterus and is expelled as the so-called afterbirth.
When does the placental abruption normally take place after birth?
The uterus contracts at regular intervals during birth (this is called labor). This is caused by the hormone prostaglandin, which is released in high doses towards the end of pregnancy. The placenta is gradually detached by the diminishing surface of the uterine lining. By about 30 minutes after birth, the placenta should be completely detached and expelled. Otherwise, the obstetricians must provide mechanical or manual assistance.
What happens if the placenta does not detach itself?
The placenta is very rich in blood vessels. If the placenta does not come loose or if parts of it remain in the uterus, which are supplied with blood, considerable bleeding can occur. Placental remnants that are not expelled can also become inflamed in the further course of the disease and trigger so-called postpartum fever.
Both can develop into serious complications that can lead to death. It is therefore essential to check the postpartum period for completeness. If this is not the case, the placental remains or even the entire placenta must be removed manually from the uterus.
To do this, one finger is passed over the vagina into the uterus and palpates the spot where the placenta has already detached. With the second hand you press on the top of the uterus from the outside and push the uterus further down. The placenta is completely palpated and detached with the finger, and then pulled out through the vagina. The placenta can then be palpated with a curette and tissue and blood remains scraped out.
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