Trapped After Delivery: A Rare Case of Postpartum Uterine Incarceration and Management

Postpartum uterine incarceration is a rare but potentially serious complication in which the uterus becomes trapped in a retroverted position within the pelvis. While commonly recognized during pregnancy, it is seldom diagnosed postpartum. This case report describes a postpartum uterine incarceration case of a 29‐year‐old woman, 11 days postpartum, who presented with vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and shoulder pain following a complicated delivery with significant hemorrhage. Diagnostic imaging suggested possible uterine rupture, but laparoscopic exploration revealed a retroverted and incarcerated uterus, which was repositioned successfully. Postoperatively, the patient experienced full recovery. Given its nonspecific symptoms and the potential for severe outcomes such as uterine ischemia and bowel obstruction, this case highlights the importance of considering uterine incarceration in the differential diagnosis for postpartum patients with unexplained pain and/or bleeding. Early recognition and surgical intervention are key to improving patient outcomes.