Retained placenta

Retained placenta is a condition in which all or part of the placenta or membranes remain in the uterus during the third stage of labour. Retained placenta can be broadly divided into:

• failed separation of the placenta from the uterine lining
• placenta separated from the uterine lining but retained within the uterus

A retained placenta is commonly a cause of postpartum haemorrhage, both primary and secondary.

Retained placenta is generally defined as a placenta that has not undergone placental expulsion within 30 minutes of the baby’s birth where the third stage of labor has been managed actively.