• Placental abruption during pregnancy

    Date: 2010.09.29 | Category: Pregnancy | Tags: ,

    The placenta is such a crucial and fascinating organ – or at least, I think so! It is pretty interesting how the placenta comes to be from the same cells as a baby, and then nurtures our babies while they are in the uterus. It is fascinating how they can nurture us too, after our babies are born (yes, I’m into placentophagy – eating your placenta). But what can go wrong with placentas during pregnancy and birth? Let’s look at placental abruption. Placental abruption, or abruptio placentae in Latin, refers to the placenta seperating from the wall of the uterus before the baby is born. What causes a placental abruption, what are the symptoms, and how is it treated?

    What is placental abruption?

    It is a pregnancy complication in which the placenta detaches from the uterine wall during pregnancy or labor, obviously before it is supposed to. Partial abruption, during which a part of the placenta starts to separate, can also occur. This can happen to various degrees, from a small degree to a nearly complete separation. Partial abruption does not have to result in immediate danger, but complete placental abruption does require immediate intervention. Placental abruption is said to affect one percent of pregnancies. It can happen any time after 20 weeks gestation, and most frequently during the third trimester of pregnancy.

    What are the symptoms?

    Bleeding is the most obvious and common symptom of a placental abruption. But vaginal bleeding does not always occur – it is possible for blood to remain trapped in the uterus. In this case, The uterus sometimes changes shape. Uterine pain, either continuous or sudden, can also indicate a placental abruption. These are not symptoms unique to placental abruption – they can be caused by other placental complications like placenta previa as well. Continuous contractions can also be a symptom of placental abruption. Placental abruption is most commonly diagnosed through an ultrasound and a physical examination, but ultrasounds do not uncover all cases of placental abruption. A decrease in fetal heart rate, or fetal distress, can also be detected depending on the degree of separation.

    What are the risk factors, and what can women do to prevent placental abruption?

    The exact cause of placental abruption is unknown, but known risk factors include smoking and cocaine use, uterine anomalies, previous abdominal injuries like a car accident or a c-section, uterine infections and twin pregnancies. Premature rupture of membranes (waters breaking) can also lead to placental abruption. High blood pressure is another risk factor for placental abruption, so keeping hypertension under control can reduce the risk. Not smoking and not using any drugs are other things any woman can do.