Mother who was in agony after childbirth discovers doctors left placenta inside her for EIGHT WEEKS

A new mother has revealed how doctors risked her life by failing to deliver her placenta after birth for a staggering eight weeks.
Elizabeth Hart, 30, says doctors at Queen's Hospital in Romford, Essex, failed to spot the potentially fatal complication when she gave birth to daughter Poppy.
The young mother spent two months in agony but claims that doctors refused to examine her when she went to A&E with a fever.


She eventually booked an appointment with a private gynaecologist - who delivered the placenta the following day.
Elizabeth, from Romford, who has now set up a group to support expectant mums, says the condition has had a 'big impact' on her life.
The make-up and hair designer said: 'I was really ill. I was sent back to Queen's two weeks later and they admitted me to the gynaecology ward.
'I told the gynaecologist how ill I'd been and she wasn't interested. The doctor at my eight-week check-up wasn't interested either.
'I was in lower-back and stomach agony and I didn't have any energy. I'd tried to breastfeed, but I was too exhausted.
'I didn't bond with my daughter because I felt so ill and I had a bit of postnatal depression as a result. It made a big impact on my life.
'I don't want this to happen to someone else.

DANGERS OF A RETAINED PLACENTA

The placenta normally separates from the uterine wall during delivery and is expelled from the vagina within 30 minutes after giving birth. 

If part or all of it fails to be delivered, the uterus can't contract and close off all the necessary blood vessels. This means it will continue to bleed and it can lead to infection.

In extreme cases this haemorrhage can cause death, so it's extremely important that tissue is removed. If the doctor is unable to do this by hand then surgery is needed.

'My aim is to build a network of midwives, social workers and mums with their own stories to help and guide women who are struggling.'
Elizabeth said doctors at Queen's Hospital had mentioned the condition 'retained placenta' anecdotally but did not diagnose her with it following Poppy's birth last June.
Her private gynaecologist revealed the pain she suffered after giving birth was because the placenta had become infected inside her.
She also struggled to breast feed because her blood count was half what an average woman's should be.
A spokesman for Queen's Hospital, said: 'I am sorry if Ms Hart is unhappy with the care she received.
'We have not received a complaint from Ms Hart, but would be happy to look into her concerns if she would like to contact us.'
Retained placenta is a potentially life-threatening condition if untreated because it carries a high risk of infection or internal bleeding.