Insufficient Lactation Leading to Postpartum Diagnosis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder in a Primigravid Patient

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta spectrum is most commonly diagnosed antenatally or at the time of delivery, but it may also present in the postpartum period. CASE: A 29-year-old primigravid patient without risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum had an uncomplicated vaginal birth with normal blood loss and delivery of an intact-appearing placenta. Five days postpartum, she was not lactating and uterine imaging to evaluate for retained products of conception was suspicious for placenta accreta spectrum. She began to develop bleeding in the following days and elected for definitive management. She underwent an uncomplicated hysterectomy on postpartum day 16 and began lactating on postoperative day 1. CONCLUSION: Retained placenta should be included in the differential diagnosis when lactation is insufficient.