![]() ![]() Once you get your labs drawn, the next step is to analyze the data. Ulta labs is generally the least expensive option of the “order yourself” companies and they often have coupons for further discounts. ![]() If your provider is unwilling to put in lab requests, you can order the labs for yourself through Ulta Labs and take in the order forms to your local laboratory. There are reported cases of pituitary damage occurring at low blood loss volumes (< 500 ml) which makes gauging which lab work to start with a bit tricky. Progesterone & estrogen (Estriodal 1, 2 & 3)Īnd if you experienced 1,000 ml or more of blood OR had a significant drop in blood pressure OR lost consciousness at any time post delivery, the additional labs will be needed: The labs that would be helpful in identifying if retained placenta (or the effects of retained placenta) is the cause of low supply include: How can I find out if I have retained placenta as the cause of my low supply?ĭiagnosis of retained placenta is usually based on clinical symptoms, but may include ultrasound examination or MRI.Īdditionally, when exploring if retained placenta is a cause of delayed or absent Lactogenesis II or low supply, we use lab values to help aid in our investigation. Without pituitary gland damage, low supply due to a large blood loss volume is usually temporary and improves as your lab work normalizes. It’s been long noted that large blood volume loss, even if not enough to affect the pituitary gland (such as with Sheehan’s syndrome) can have an effect on milk supply. Until the placental fragments are removed or absorbed back into the body, it’s possible that they will secrete enough progesterone and/or estrogen to inhibit the normal milk transition process.Īnother possible cause of low supply post retained placenta is due to the effects of postpartum hemorrhage. Another possibility is that those who obtain a full supply despite of having retained placenta, may have underlying health issues (such as hyperprolactinemia) that overcome the effects of progesterone. The size or amount of retained placenta may be a contributing factor in the differences we see in the effects on milk production. Retained placental fragments disrupt this process by continuing to kick off the hormone progesterone & estrogen. Roughly 2-3 days after delivery, you should notice an increase in breast fullness followed by an increase in milk volume. Once the placenta is delivered, the hormone-landscape changes, allowing prolactin to do its job. The signal that your baby was born and that it’s time to start the process of increasing milk volume is the delivery of the placenta.ĭuring pregnancy its the placental hormone progesterone that prevents the process of lactogenesis II from occurring by binding to prolactin receptors in the lactocytes (the cells that make milk). How does retained placenta affect milk supply? If you are having any signs of retained placenta, regardless of your breast milk volume, please see your provider. While it certainly can be, and low supply occurs along side it, there are people who have full, even overabundant supplies, with retained placenta. Note about retained placenta : Notice that I didn’t say that low milk supply was a symptoms of retained placenta. Heavy bleeding with large clots/ pieces of tissue In cases where placental fragments are left behind - as may happen with partial placenta accreta- the following signs & symptoms may occur. There are three main types of retained placenta (placenta adherens, trapped placenta, placenta accreta), and luckily, most retained placenta is appropriately managed in the hours following delivery. For many parents the experience of “milk not coming in” is very real, even if they do small milk volumes. However, In the case of retained placenta, the transition from colostrum to “mature” milk doesn’t happen. Colostrum is milk and you already have food ready and waiting for the birth of your baby. ![]() Now I normally hate the term “milk coming in” because parents already have milk, even prior to the delivery of their baby. In other words, if there’s placenta left in your uterus, your “milk may not come in”. Not only does retained placental fragments pose an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage and mortality, it can be a cause of Lactogenisis II failure, for reasons I will explain below. Typically the placenta is delivered as one big piece, however, if it’s not, there is a risk that a piece(s) of placenta may be left in your uterus. In the context of this discussion, retained placenta refers to retained placental fragments (RPF), rather than a delay in delivering the placenta. ![]()
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