Patient education: Placental abruption (The Basics)

What is placental abruption? — Placental abruption is an uncommon condition that causes bleeding during the last half of pregnancy. If you have a placental abruption, it can be dangerous for both you and your baby.

The placenta is the organ that forms between you and your baby during pregnancy (figure 1). It brings the baby nutrients and oxygen from your body and carries away waste. Placental abruption happens when the placenta separates from the uterus before birth.

What causes placental abruption? — Doctors don't know why placental abruption sometimes happens. You are more likely to have a placental abruption if you:

●Smoke

●Use cocaine

●Have high blood pressure

●Have a car accident

●Fall on your belly or get hit hard in the belly

What are the symptoms of placental abruption? — If you have a placental abruption, the symptoms can include:

●Bleeding from the vagina

●Belly pain

●Back pain

●Tightening of the uterus (called "contractions")

When a placental abruption happens, there might also be problems with the baby's heart rate.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Call your doctor or nurse right away if you bleed from your vagina or have belly pain when you are pregnant. You should also call if you are in a car accident, fall on your belly, or get hit hard in the belly.

Are there tests for placental abruption? — Yes. Most of the time, your doctor or midwife will be able to tell if you have it by asking about your symptoms and doing an exam.

You might need an ultrasound. An ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the baby and placenta inside your body. It might show the abruption.

How is placental abruption treated? — At the hospital, your doctor or nurse will:

●Take some blood from your arm

●Check the baby's heart rate

●See if you are having contractions

●Put a small tube, called an "IV," in a vein so you can get fluids and blood, if you need it

Depending on how much of the placenta is affected and how long you have been pregnant, your doctor or nurse might want to deliver the baby as soon as possible. You might give birth through the vagina, or the doctor might do surgery to get the baby out (called a "c-section" or "cesarean birth.")

Can placental abruption be prevented? — You can lower your chances of having placental abruption by:

●Not smoking

●Not using cocaine

●Avoiding situations that might result in a fall or getting hit in the belly

What if I want to get pregnant again? — If you had a placental abruption, you have a higher-than-normal chance of having a placental abruption in future pregnancies.

More on this topic

Patient education: Labor and delivery (childbirth) (The Basics)
Patient education: C-section (cesarean birth) (The Basics)