Final answer:
Retained products of conception are remnants of fetal or placental tissue that remain in the uterus after a pregnancy ends. Symptoms include prolonged bleeding, cramping, and pelvic pain. Treatment options range from expectant management to medication or a dilation and curettage procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Retained products of conception refer to any remnants of fetal or placental tissue that remain in the uterus after a pregnancy has ended, either spontaneously or through a therapeutic procedure. The presence of retained products of conception can lead to symptoms such as prolonged bleeding, cramping, or pelvic pain. It is typically diagnosed through ultrasound imaging or by examining the tissue expelled from the uterus.
Treatment for retained products of conception depends on the severity of symptoms and the extent of tissue remaining in the uterus. In minor cases, expectant management may be sufficient, where the body naturally expels the remaining tissue over time. In more severe cases, medical intervention may be necessary, such as medication to induce uterine contractions and expel the tissue or a minimally invasive procedure called a dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the tissue from the uterus.