Previous PP hemorrhage - Concerned for 2nd labor & delivery

[marigold91]

Hi!

With my first labor and delivery, I had a vaginal birth without any major complications before/during birth, but had a postpartum hemorrhage afterwards.

I told my doctor and she asked for my previous medical records and seemed really concerned. I have my records for her and will ask her at my next appointment in two weeks, but my question is, has this happened to anyone? What was your next birth like if you had a previous postpartum hemmorhage?

Do you guys think there's a chance my doctor will pressure me into a c-section (which I absolutely want to avoid) because of this?

 

[justplay91]

Hi, marigold. I had a pp hematoma (like a contained hemorrhage) the size of a large grapefruit and required a surgery and blood transfusion. It was all very traumatising and has me terrified for labor this time! Mine was the same, where I had a great birth itself, it was just the aftermath that got scary. In the days right after my traumatic labor, I insisted I wanted a c-section with my next baby and my doctor understood. However as time went on and I got pregnant again, I decided I wanted the experience of vaginal labor again. My doctor also agreed to that. So I would think if vaginal birth is what you want, your doctor will comply and they'll probably just look after you a little more closely in the hours following birth.

 

[marigold91]

I sure hope so. Thanks so much! I hope your birth experience goes smoothly! ps, love the name you picked.

 

[ParisJeTadore]

Don't have a lot of advice but wanted to send and know how scary that can be (I had some severe bleeding issues post birth with both my babies).

Take comfort that if they are aware of your previous bleed they will be extra dilignent and ready if anything were to occur this time around. I have heard of women on these boards who have had a PPH and gone on to have subsequent births without hemorrhaging. Hopefully they can chime in.

 

[justplay91]

Marigold, thank you! We liked it a lot too I hope your next birth goes as well as your last, minus the pph!

 

[MemmaJ]

It kind-of depends what caused the haemorrhage, how much you blood was lost, etc...
But yes, as someone else said - things will be in place this time and ready just incase it happens again (which it very well may not!).
You will probably need/be advised to have a canulla in for labour, so it's ready to be used if needed, and drugs/treatment will be ready and on stand-by if needed also.
It's certainly not a reason to be pushed into a c-section

 

[donnarobinson]

I had a pph with my first labour I needed 4 units of blood.
I had to have a Iv in ready for my second birth but I didn't hemoragge
Good luck x

 

[princess2406]

Hi I had a pp hemorage lost 3 litres of blood and had 3 blood transfusions, it was so scary and very traumatic. I was told at my postnatal check up that I would be fine to have a vaginal birth next time around and they would encourage it but of course an elective would also be offered. Its something I'm terrified of happening again but I had a good labour last time and really want to experience a vaginal birth again.

 

[goddess25]

I had a large PP hemorrhage after the birth of my 3rd child on my bedroom floor, given some medication to help stop it. It did stop and the only thing my MW told me was if you decide to have a 4th baby you will not be a home birth candidate anymore but we could talk about it.
I dont think you should be pressured into a C Section.

 

[amelia26]

I doubt they would encourage c section as you can haemorrhage with a c section anyway (as I did). They most likely would want you to have a cannula straight away in case it's needed and might cross-match your blood and have some on the ward ready, just in case. They are likely to want to give you the injection to deliver the placenta without delay, as this reduces chances of pph. There are other drugs that help the uterus contract and reduce pph risk. They might have these on standby and would use them without delay if any signs of pph.

 

[LilLil]

I had a PPH with DD, not as bad as some ladies here though. So with DS I had to have him in the consultant unit, rather than MLU. I had to have the drip up afterwards to help my uterus contract and thankfully no PPH. Luckily it's not even considered an issue for this labour.

 

[Feronia]

For my first home birth, I had a PPH and lost over 1 litre of blood, needed an iv, pitocin, and uterine massage afterwards.

For my second birth, I still chose to have it at home and again chose physiological management of the 3rd stage (so we still did delayed cord clamping and avoided using pitocin for active management) but we agreed they would intervene earlier if there were signs of another PPH. It went fine, no PPH!