Overview

Placental abruption (abruptio placentae) is a pregnancy complication that happens when the placenta separates from your uterus before delivery. The placenta is a temporary organ that connects a growing fetus to your uterus during pregnancy. It attaches to the wall of your uterus, usually on the top or side, and acts as a lifeline that gives nutrients and oxygen to the fetus through the umbilical cord. The placenta also removes waste from the fetus’s blood.

In placental abruption, the placenta may completely or partially detach. This can decrease the amount of oxygen and nutrients the fetus gets. It can also cause heavy bleeding in the birthing parent. Your healthcare provider will need to monitor you closely and determine if an early delivery is necessary.

What are the different types of placental abruption?

Your healthcare provider will classify the abruption based on how much the placenta detaches from your uterus:

  • partial placental abruption occurs when the placenta doesn’t completely detach from the uterine wall.
  • complete or total placental abruption occurs when the placenta completely detaches from the uterine wall. There’s usually more vaginal bleeding with a complete abruption.

They’ll further classify it by how much you’re bleeding:

  • Revealed placental abruptions have moderate to severe vaginal bleeding that you can see.
  • Concealed placental abruptions have little or no visible vaginal bleeding. Blood is trapped between the placenta and uterine wall.

How common is a placental abruption?

Placental abruption occurs in about 1 out of 100 pregnancies (1%).

What week is placental abruption most common?

Placental abruption most commonly occurs later in the third trimester, which begins around 28 weeks of pregnancy and lasts until delivery (around 40 weeks). But it can occur any time after 20 weeks.

Products & Services
A Book: Future Care

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment


Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


Print

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Heart Rhythm Conditions Discussions

See more discussions

Comments are closed for this post.