Drill Kit

Retained Placenta with Doula Present

This Drill Kit tests the emergency response to a retained placenta occurring in the community birth setting requiring transport of the postpartum individual to a higher level of care for further management.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify and respond to a retained placenta in the immediate postpartum period in the community setting.
  •  Review ways to promote person-focused care during emergencies.
  • Identify the need for a higher level of care and initiate appropriate hospital transfer.
  • Practice collaboration that adheres to relevant transfer protocols with warm hand-offs across levels of care.
  • Communicate effectively, and with dignity to the patient, support people, and additional healthcare personnel in the event of a postpartum transfer.
  • Use debriefing skills to promote equity and ensure integration of individual and collective learning.

This drill kit is appropriate for:

  • Home birth practices
  • Birth centers
  • Other facilities or units requiring patient transport emergency surgery or stabilization (e.g. emergency department or community hospital)

And may further engage:

  • EMS or other emergency transport partners
  • Labor & Birth unit and other relevant units at the referral hospital
  • Doulas or doula organizations

Publish Information

Authored by:
Alexa Dougherty, MSN, PHN, CNM

Reviewed by:
Debra Bingham, DrPH, FAAN
Emily Bronson, MA, MPH, CD(DONA)
Holly Christensen, MSN, CNM
Timothy Fisher, MD, MS, FACOG
Jennifer Johnson, MS, CNM
Amy Romano, MBA, MSN, CNM, FACNM

Last updated: May 2025
Drill Kit Usage Agreement
By accessing or downloading this Drill Kit, you agree to the Step Up Together® Drill Kit User Agreement.

Permitted Use
You may use these materials to conduct internal drills and training within your own practice, facility, or established care network (e.g., partner hospitals or EMS).

Prohibited Use
You may not use these materials to provide consulting, facilitation, simulation services, or technical assistance to other organizations

  • Use them as part of commercial training or consulting services
  • Redistribute, sell, or publish the Drill Kits or modified versions
  • Remove Step Up Together® or Primary Maternity Care attribution

If you are interested in facilitating drills for other organizations or incorporating Step Up Together materials into consulting or training programs, please contact us at info@stepuptogether.com.
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