Bleeding After D&C: Understanding Causes & Recovery

Question
I am 36 yrs old, have a 2 year old (perfect pregnacny).

I became pregnant back in January 05 and from 9 weeks started spotting.  As the pregnancy progressed the bleeding got heavier with lots of clots and I ended up in hospital for 3 days.  Was sent home with bedrest and ended up back in hospital 4 days later (Friday)with really heavy bleeding, clotting and my membranes had broken as my poor baby had no fluid left around her but she still had a heartbeat and a kick until Sunday night. Last Sunday being 22nd May 2005 I went into labour (we were prepared sadly enough)at 19 weeks.  After I had given birth to our little girl, as I was bleeding very heavily and there was no way the placenta was coming out they opted to give me a D & C straight away.  When I woke up in recovery they told me they had trouble getting the placenta away from the uterine wall (i think thats what they said).  Anyway they also told me I would probably continue to bleed for 7 to 10 days and everything should be ok.  Well it is now 10 days and I would have expected to just have the odd spot but I am still bleeding like a light period.

Is this normal? Or could there be a problem because of whatever was going on during my pregnancy.

By the way they gave me a blood transfusion of 2 bags and 3 bags of plasma over a period of 8 hrs.  I don't know if this is significant or not.

Hope you can help me.  Thanks

Answer
You should have a discussion with your doctor as to what occurred with your pregnancy. YOu may have had a "Placenta accreta", which is a condition where the placenta adheres to the uterine wall without the usual intervening decidua basalis.  This makes it very difficult for removal of the placenta after delivery (whether it is at term or prematurely). Often, a D&C is necessary to remove the retained placental fragments abd blood transfusions are common. If you are still bleeding heavily after 10 days, you should call your doctor and get a follow up sonogram to assess your uterine cavity. You may need further treatment.