The clinical features of 106 women who had a secondary postpartum haemorrhage were examined in detail; 39 were managed conservatively, 3 had a vaginal laceration resutured and 64 had a curettage. In 46 patients, material obtained by curettage was examined histologically. The clinical features associated with retained products of conception are defined and comparisons are made between conservative and surgical management of secondary postpartum haemorrhage.