What is Placental Abruption?

Posted on April 28, 2009 in Latest News

Placenta is the life support for a growing fetus. It supplies nutrients and oxygen from the blood supply of mother and removes toxins and such other wastes from the fetus blood. During labor, placenta also stimulates the secretion of hormones that triggers delivery.

What is Placental Abruption?
Placental abruption is partial or complete peeling of placenta from the walls of the uterus before delivery. In severe cases, placental abruption can cut down oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus. It might also cause severe bleeding thus endangering the lives of both mother and the baby. Placental abruption generally happens in the third trimester of pregnancy.

What Causes Placental Abruption?
Some of the factors that can increase the risk of placental abruption are listed as under:

Cigarette smoking
Cocaine addiction
High blood pressure
Abnormality of the uterus or umbilical cord
Being over 35 years of age
Uterine infection

What are the Symptoms of Placental Abruption?
The common signs of placental abruptions are uterine contractions and tenderness, vaginal bleeding, fetal distress, back pain, severe abdominal pain and maternal shock with low blood pressure and insufficient blood flow to the vital organs.

How Placental Abruption is diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider may look for uterine tenderness or rigidity if he suspects placental abruption. A complete blood count (CBC) is also done. High-frequency ultrasound can show the clot behind the placenta.

How is Placental Abruption Treated?
The treatment of placental abruption depends on the severity of abruption and the stage of pregnancy.

If there is a mild abruption, prompt delivery (C-section or inducing labor) may be recommended.

If it is suspected that the abruption can cause premature delivery of baby, the doctor might recommend treatment with corticosteroids.

In case the abruption progresses further and there is heavy bleeding or fetal distress then prompt delivery using C-section may be recommended.

Comments

Leave a Reply