The placenta (the organ that helps your baby grow and develop) is usually delivered after the baby is born – this is the third stage of labour.
On rare occasions, the placenta (or part of the placenta) is not fully delivered and remains within the uterus/womb. It may be that while most of the placenta is delivered, remnants still remain. If not diagnosed and treated properly, this can lead to life-threatening bleeding (primary postpartum haemorrhage) and infection.
