Post-delivery complications
The most common complication of the third stage of labour is PPH. Active management of the third stage has clearly been shown to reduce the frequency of this complication and therefore most likely has a positive impact on maternal mortality and longer-term morbidities or death.
Retained Placenta
This refers to the retention of the placenta in the uterus for more than 30 minutes. This bleeding may be visible or may manifest only by the increasing size of the uterus. In the absence of any evidence of placental detachment, consider the diagnosis of complete placenta accrete (placenta implanted the layer of the uterus) .This condition may be present with bleeding if only a portion of the placenta is abnormally implanted. You will learn more about post-delivery complication and management in session 11, Postnatal Care (PNC).
Uterine inversion
The uterus is pulled "inside out" as the baby or the placenta is delivered, usually due to:
- Poor management of AMTSL.
- Applying a mixed method (Fundal pressure and cord traction).