In a message dated 8/31/0 8:24:42 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< On Wed, 30 Aug 2000, Kate Hallberg wrote:
> I have had more than one ob or physician argue with me
> that a retained placental fragment is not possible in
> practice because of the severe infection that would
> result.  Clearly Kathy (and many others) have gone
> weeks with the retained fragment that doesn't become
> infected, nor does the body reabsorb it.  Why do you
> suppose that is?

I have also had retained placental fragments that did not cause infection.
Nor did I "soak a pad an hour".  In fact, before I passed one, my
bleeding had ceased, and then I started getting cramping and spotting
again.
 >>

Several years ago, I had a miscarriage at home at 12 weeks. The placenta
appeared to be intact (midwife came and saw it the next day) and bleeding
stopped within a short time. One month later, w/o warning, I hemorrhaged very
badly and had to have a D+C. The OB found a tiny piece of retained placenta.
The caveat was that I was nursing my 3 1/2 yr dd and completely lost my milk
supply. She nursed for 1 1/2 more years and I never regained my milk until my
next pregnancy.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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