Placental abruption, defined as the premature separation of a placenta from its implantation in the uterus, usually occurs in the third trimester, but may occur any time after the 20th week of pregnancy. Fortunately, this condition affects only about 1% of all pregnant women, and most can be successfully treated depending on what type of separation occurs.
The placenta is equipped with numerous blood vessels that allow the transfer of nutrients to the fetus from the mother. If the placenta begins to detach during pregnancy, then bleeding occurs from these vessels. The larger the area that detaches, the greater the amount of bleeding.
Other than direct trauma to the uterus such as in a motor vehicle accident, the cause of placental abruption remains unclear. Some conditions however were found to be associated with placental abruption:
• Previous pregnancy with placental abruption
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Cigarette smoking
• Multiple pregnancy
• Sickle cell anemia
You are still early on in the course of pregnancy and should not have to worry about placental abruption unless you have one or more of the above mentioned risk factors. If you do, discuss precautions that you need to take with your obstetrician.
The most common symptom of placental abruption is dark red vaginal bleeding with pain during the third trimester of pregnancy. It also can occur during labor. Symptoms may vary between different women: some may not have vaginal bleeding that is detectable, but there may be bleeding inside the uterus. Symptoms may include:
• Vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Uterine contractions that do not relax
• Blood in amniotic fluid
• Nausea
• Thirst
• Faint feeling
• Decreased fetal movements
The symptoms of placental abruption may resemble other medical conditions. It is this advisable to always consult your doctor for prompt diagnosis and management.
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