Placental Abruption

What is Placental Abruption?

This is a pregnancy complication that is serious but not common.

The placenta is an arrangement of tissues that develop during pregnancy in the uterus in order to sustain the baby with nutrients. If this placenta separates from the inner most wall of the uterus prior to delivery – either completely or partially – it is known as placental abruption or abruption placentae. This condition denies the baby nutrients as well as oxygen and causes bleeding in the mother that is quite heavy.

If this condition is left untreated, it places both baby and mother in danger. This complication is considered an emergency, needing abrupt attention medically.

Placental Abruption Symptoms

This complication may start any time after twenty weeks of pregnancy. Common symptoms and signs of placental abruption consist of:

• Bleeding vaginally
• Pain in the abdomen
• Pain in the back
• Uterine tenderness
• Uterine contractions that are rapid, coming one directly after another

The pain in the abdomen and back begins unexpectedly. The volume of bleeding vaginally may greatly vary and does not always relate to how much the placenta has detached from the uterus inner wall. It is actually conceivable to have a very severe incident with no bleeding visible.

Seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms or signs of this complication, consisting of:

• Bleeding vaginally
• Back pain is severe
• Abdominal pain
• Uterine contractions that are rapid

Placental Abruption Causes

The precise reason for this condition is in most cases not known. Possible reasons for placental abruption consist of:

• Injury or trauma to the abdominal area – for example from a fall or auto accident
• Umbilical cord that is strangely short
• Loss of fluid rapidly – fluid normally surrounds as well as shields the baby in the uterus and is known as amniotic fluid

Numerous factors can increase the risk of this complication and they include:

Prior abruption

If the mother has had this complication previously, the risk of it happening again is considerably higher.

High blood pressure

Whether this condition is chronic or results of the pregnancy – it increases the hazard of placental abruption.

Trauma to the abdomen

Any trauma to the abdominal area for instance from a blow or shock to the abdomen or a fall, increases the danger of placental abruption.

Abuse of substances

This condition is most common in individuals who use cocaine or smoke during pregnancy.

Premature preterm rupture of membranes

During the pregnancy, the fetus is encircled in a sac that which is full of amniotic fluid and the portion of the sac that is out most is called the amniotic membrane. If this membrane ruptures too soon or if it develops a hole, the hazard of placental abruption rises.

Disorders of blood clotting

Conditions that harm the blood’s capacity to clot increases the danger of placental abruption.

Multiple pregnancies

When carrying twins, triplets or more multiples the hazard of placental abruption increases

Prior pregnancies

The more pregnancies a woman has had, the higher the danger of placental abruption.

Age

This complication is most common in individuals who are 35 or older.

This complication causes problems that are life-threatening for both the baby and the mother. Without immediate attention medically, placental abruption can lead to:

• Premature birth
• Maternal shock
• Deprives fetus of nutrients and oxygen
• Stillbirth
• Future neurological difficulties for the baby

Loss of blood can be a problem after delivery also. If the bleeding from the spot of the attachment cannot be managed after the birth of the baby, removal of the uterus or hysterectomy emergency will be needed.

Placental Abruption Treatment

The treatment for this complication hinges on the situations:

Babies not near complete term

If this abruption is mild, the baby’s heart rate is regular but it is too early for the infant to arrive, the mother can be hospitalized to be monitored closely. If bleeding ends and the baby is in stable condition, the physician can recommend home bed rest. In certain cases, the mother may be prescribed drugs to aid the baby’s lungs to advance – in the event delivery early is needed.

Babies near term

If the baby is close to term and the abruption is minimal, a vaginal delivery that is closely monitored is probable. If the abruption remains or endangers the baby’s or the mother’s health, a fast delivery by C-section is advised. With severe bleeding, blood transfusions will be needed.

There is no method to re-attach the placenta after separation from the uterus wall.

A placental abruption cannot be prevented but some risk causes making abruption more unlikely can be avoided.

To lower the risk:

• Do not smoke
• Do not use cocaine
• Chronic problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be controlled
• Usage of a seat belt

If you do have a previous placental abruption, speak to your physician about methods to reduce this risk from happening again. When an individual becomes pregnant, the physician will need to monitor carefully the pregnancy.