When placental tissue remains or infection develops after birth, a legal review asks whether warning signs were investigated and acted on appropriately. The complication itself does not establish negligence; the focus is on assessment, discharge decisions, follow-up and their effect on the outcome.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Retained placenta can be identified at birth, when the placenta does not deliver completely, or later, when fragments remain and cause bleeding or infection. Infection after birth may affect the uterus, a wound or other sites. Symptoms vary, and some are common in normal recovery, which is why clinical assessment is essential.
Information about these conditions helps families understand records, but it cannot tell you whether your own symptoms should have been interpreted differently. That requires review of examination findings, test results and clinical notes.
Discharge and follow-up
Many concerns arise after discharge. Lawyers often look at whether the placenta was documented as complete, what discharge advice was given, whether concerns raised by phone or at a return visit were recorded, and how quickly a review occurred. Midwife home visit notes and GP records can be particularly important.
Infection records
Where infection is involved, relevant documents may include temperature and observation charts, pathology results, microbiology reports, antibiotic charts and ultrasound reports. These show when infection was suspected, what was done, and how the illness progressed.
- Pathology and microbiology results with dates
- Medication charts showing antibiotic timing
- Ultrasound reports describing retained tissue
- Readmission and surgical procedure notes
Expert assessment
An obstetric expert would consider whether the standard of care was met at each point, for example at placental inspection, at discharge, and at each later contact. Causation is assessed separately: the question is whether earlier diagnosis would probably have avoided further surgery, sepsis, or other complications.
Losses
Losses may include extra hospital stays, further procedures, time away from work, additional care for a newborn while unwell, and any lasting effects on fertility or health. Where Medicare-funded services were used, compensation recovery may need to be considered.
For your next conversation
- Request the birth record noting whether the placenta and membranes were complete
- Gather discharge summary and written discharge advice
- Collect phone advice logs, midwife home visit and GP notes
- Obtain pathology, ultrasound and readmission records
- List dates when you or family raised concerns and with whom
Common questions
I phoned the hospital about bleeding and was told it was normal. Is that relevant?
It may be. Records of phone advice can show what information you gave and how it was assessed. A solicitor would request phone logs and compare them with your recollection. An expert would then consider whether the advice reflected appropriate practice for the symptoms described.
Does a retained placenta always mean someone made a mistake?
No. Retained tissue can occur despite careful care and inspection. A legal review examines whether reasonable steps were taken to check the placenta and respond to later symptoms, and whether any shortfall changed what happened.
Sources & further reading
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: labour complications (opens in a new tab)
- OAIC: access health information (opens in a new tab)
- Services Australia: Medicare compensation recovery (opens in a new tab)
These references support the topic’s starting points. They do not determine the facts, standard of care or law applicable to an individual matter.