Placental abruption
Placental abruption happens when the placenta peels away from the uterine wall before delivery. This can cut off oxygen and nutrients to your baby and cause significant bleeding for you, making it a serious obstetric emergency. Symptoms include sudden, severe abdominal pain, a rigid or tender uterus, and vaginal bleeding, though in some cases blood is trapped inside and not visible. Risk factors include high blood pressure, trauma to the abdomen, smoking, and previous abruption. Mild cases may be monitored closely in hospital, while severe abruption usually requires immediate delivery to protect both mother and baby.
What This Means for You
Understanding Placental abruption is an important part of your pregnancy/labor journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
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Go to the nearest emergency department immediately if you experience sudden abdominal pain with or without bleeding. KKH's 24-hour women's emergency service is equipped to assess and manage abruption urgently.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/dictionary
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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