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Placental abruption occurs when the placenta entirely or partially detaches. This can reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the foetus receives. It can also result in excessive bleeding. Your healthcare professional will need to constantly observe you to evaluate whether an early delivery is required.
Types of Placental Abruption
Your healthcare professional will classify the abruption depending on how much the placenta is detached from your uterus.- A partial placental abruption occurs when the placenta does not fully detach from the uterine wall.
- An entire placental abruption occurs when the placenta completely separates from the uterine wall. A full abruption is frequently associated with increased vaginal bleeding.
- Revealed placental abruptions cause visible vaginal bleeding.
- Concealed placental abruptions cause minimal to no apparent vaginal bleeding. Blood becomes trapped between the placenta and the uterine wall.
Symptoms of Placental Abruption
Each person may have various signs of placental abruption. However, the most prevalent symptom is vaginal bleeding and discomfort during the third trimester of pregnancy. Additional symptoms include:- Abdominal discomfort
- Uterine contractions that are longer and more severe than normal labour contractions
- Uterine soreness
- Backache, or back pain
- Foetus moving less
Vaginal bleeding varies and may not indicate the severity of the abruption. In certain cases, there may be no apparent bleeding because the blood is trapped between the placenta and the uterine wall. Pain might range from minor cramps to intense contractions that occur unexpectedly.
These symptoms may resemble other pregnancy problems. If you are experiencing vaginal bleeding and cramping, always contact your pregnancy care provider.
The most typical symptom of a placental abruption is vaginal bleeding, though this does not always occur. You may also experience acute and continuous pain in your abdomen or back.
Do You Always Bleed Following A Placental Abruption?
During a placental abruption, blood is usually visible. However, if the abruption is disguised, the blood gets trapped beneath the placenta as a result, there will be no bleeding. In some situations, the abruption develops gradually, resulting in periodic mild bleeding.Consult your doctor about any vaginal bleeding you have during your pregnancy.
Causes of a Placental Abruption
The reason for placental abruption is unknown. Healthcare practitioners alone can diagnose the reason for abruption. Abdominal trauma, such as a fall or accident, can raise your chance of placental abruption.Doctors may use mild force while examining your belly to check on the foetus, these prenatal sessions do not cause placental abruption. However, a blow to the abdomen (such as in a car accident or tumbling down the stairs) can cause the placenta to detach.
A rough trip in a car, bus, or plane is not one of the reasons for placental abruption. However, it is advised to avoid any activities that pose a significant risk of falling or abdominal damage.
Sexual intercourse is not the direct cause of placental abruption. In most circumstances, having sex while pregnant is safe. During pregnancy, you should avoid activities that cause abdominal damage.
Sneezing is a normal bodily function and will not induce a placental abruption. It cannot harm the foetus in any way. If you are concerned about frequent and intense sneezing or coughing, contact your doctor.
Smoking can increase your risk of a variety of pregnancy problems, including placental abruption. Consult your doctor about ways to quit smoking.
Risk Factors For Placental Abruption
The following factors enhance the chance of placental abruption:- Trauma or injury to your uterus (for example, a vehicle accident, fall, or blow to the stomach)
- Previous placental abruption
- Multiple pregnancies
- High blood pressure (hypertension), gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia
- If you smoke or take recreational drugs
- Being older than 40
- Uterine fibroids
- Thrombophilia (blood clotting condition)
- Premature membrane rupture (water bursts before the foetus reaches full term) or excessive amniotic fluid loss
- Chorioamnionitis (infection in the amniotic fluid)
Complications Of Placental Abruption
Placental abruption can be life-threatening for both the foetus and you. Complications of placental abruption include:For the foetus:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Growth issues (intrauterine growth restriction)
- Lack of oxygen causes brain damage
- Stillbirth
For the birthing parent:
- Anaemia
- Blood clotting difficulties
- Blood transfusions
- Haemorrhage
- Kidney failure
Diagnosing Placental Abruption
Your healthcare practitioner conducts a checkup and other tests to diagnose placental abruption. Depending on the severity of the abruption, you may be admitted to the hospital or allowed to rest at home. The healthcare provider will:- Ask how much bleeding has happened
- Enquire about the location and severity of your pain
- Ask when the symptoms began
- Check your blood pressure
- Keep track of how often your contractions occur
- Monitor the foetal heart rate and movement
- Use ultrasonography to pinpoint the bleeding and examine the foetus
- Urine or blood testing is recommended
A healthcare clinician will commonly diagnose three types of placental abruptions:
Grade 1
A small quantity of bleeding, mild uterine contractions, and no indicators of stress for you or the foetus. This is typically a minor or partial placental abruption, in which only a portion of the placenta is separated.Grade 2
Mild to moderate bleeding, uterine contractions, and potential foetal discomfort.Grade 3
Moderate to severe bleeding or concealed haemorrhage, persistent uterine contractions, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and the possibility of foetal mortality.Treatment Of Placental Abruptions
Once removed from the uterus, the placenta cannot be rejoined or restored. A healthcare provider will make treatment recommendations depending on:
- The severity of the interruption
- The duration of the pregnancy and the foetus' gestational age
- Signs of foetal discomfort
- The amount of blood you have lost
In general, the two most essential considerations in determining treatment are the severity of the abruption and the foetus' gestational age.
If the foetus isn't near term:
- If it is too early for the foetus to be born and your abruption is minor, your doctor will constantly observe you. You may return home to rest, or you may remain in the hospital. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to help the foetus' lungs grow. They will continue to monitor you.
- If the abruption is severe and you or your foetus’s life is jeopardised, rapid delivery may be required, even if the foetus is not near term (37 weeks of pregnancy).
If the foetus is nearing term:
- If the abruption is moderate and the foetal heart rate is normal, your doctor may let your pregnancy go to term. They may administer corticosteroids to mature the foetus's lungs while continuously monitoring you for changes.
- If the abruption is severe, delivery may need to be performed promptly. If you or the foetus are in danger at any moment, the baby will be delivered (usually by emergency C-section).
If any of the following occur, you may need to deliver (regardless of the foetus’s age):
- The abruption becomes acute or worsens
- You are bleeding profusely or developing severe anaemia
- The foetus is in discomfort and shows signs of a shortage of oxygen
Treatment for Mild Placental Abruption
Even if the abruption is minor, your healthcare professional will include the foetus' gestational age in their treatment plan. For example, if you are at term, they may still suggest inducing labour. If you are still months away from your due date, your provider may explore a different technique, even for a minor interruption. Generally, the pregnancy can be carried to term unless the abruption or bleeding worsens or the foetus exhibits signs of distress.Treatment for Severe Placental Abruption
A severe abruption is typically a medical emergency since both the foetus and the birthing parent face life-threatening difficulties. Typically, delivery is immediate.Preventing a Placental Abruption
A placental abruption is usually irreversible. However, you can mitigate your risk by:- Not smoking or using recreational drugs. Consult your doctor before taking any medicine while pregnant
- Keeping your blood pressure within normal limits
- Managing chronic medical disorders
- Taking health and safety precautions, such as wearing a seat belt
- Reporting any abdominal trauma or vaginal bleeding to your healthcare physician
Can A Baby Survive A Placenta Abruption?
The two parameters that influence survival rates are gestational age at birth and the severity of the abruption. Early discovery, attentive monitoring, and prompt treatment can all help reduce problems. If a severe abruption occurs, there is a 15% probability of foetal death.Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta blocks all or part of the cervix. It is also known as a low-lying placenta. Consider it a barrier to the uterine evacuation. Despite its convoluted position, the placenta remains linked to your uterus. A placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus. Both conditions can lead to vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and labour.Placental abruption is a hazardous disorder that can occur during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you develop vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or cramps while pregnant. They will determine the following actions based on the severity of the abruption, the foetus' gestational age, and other parameters. Remember, there is usually nothing you did to trigger the situation. Trust your physician to make the best decisions for you and your baby.
FAQs on What to Know About Placental Abruption?
- In which week is placental abruption most common?
Placental abruption is more common later in the third trimester, which starts at 28 weeks of pregnancy and lasts until birth (around 40 weeks). However, it may develop at any time after 20 weeks. - What does a placental abruption feel like?
During a placental abruption, you may feel severe pain, cramping, or discomfort in your lower pelvis or back. You may also feel the foetus move less. Discuss these symptoms with your pregnancy care provider right away.
