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Parentpedia
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption describes when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus. If it is severe, it can put your baby in great danger by depriving her of nutrients and oxygen. It can also cause severe blood loss for you. Placental abruption occurs in about 1 in 75 to 1 in 226 of pregnancies.
Are You at Risk?
No one knows what causes placenta previa, but it's more likely to occur in women who:
- have high blood pressure
- are 40 or older
- are black
- have had many children
- smoke
- use drugs or alcohol while pregnant
Symptoms
The main sign of placental abruption is vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include:
- contractions that don't stop
- pain in the uterus or tenderness in the abdomen
- a uterus that feels hard
Your doctor probably won't be able to see if you have placental abruption by looking at an ultrasound, but she will most likely use an ultrasound to rule out placenta previa.
Treatment
Treatment depends on how far along the pregnancy is and how healthy the mother and baby are. It could include electronic monitoring and hospitalization.
Safety Notes
- If you experience any bleeding during your pregnancy, you should call your doctor or midwife immediately.
Michele Isaacs Gliksman, in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth," warns that smokers are at increased risk of developing placental problems. With each pack they smoke, smokers increase their risk by 40%.
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