What Is Placental Abruption? Key Causes and Potential Risks
Pregnancy is supposed to be one of the most amazing times in a person’s life. Welcoming a new baby into the world is about sharing your joy and happiness with others. Unfortunately, pregnancy also carries significant risks, like placental abruption. When pregnancy complications go undetected because of medical practitioners’ careless actions, the consequences for mother and child can be catastrophic.
At Smith McBroom, our Seattle legal team wants you to have all the information you need about placental abruption, a dangerous and complicated condition that can impact your health and pregnancy, so that you learn how to recognize potential symptoms.
What Is Placental Abruption?
Placental abruption is a rare but significant pregnancy complication that occurs when the placenta either partially or completely separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. The placenta is an organ that develops in a pregnant woman’s uterus. It attaches to the uterine wall and provides nutrients and oxygen to a developing baby through the umbilical cord. The placenta also removes harmful waste and carbon dioxide from the baby. Additionally, the placenta produces hormones to help the baby grow, passes specific immunities from the mother to the baby, and helps protect the fetus while in the womb. Essentially, the placenta and umbilical cord are the baby’s lifeline.
There are typically two different placental abruption classifications, including:
- Partial Placental Abruption – This condition occurs when the placenta partially detaches from the uterine wall.
- Complete or Total Placental Abruption –A complete abruption happens when the placenta completely detaches itself from the uterine wall.
Although placental abruption only occurs in about 1 out of 100 pregnancies, it can be a significant medical complication for both mother and child. Most placental abruptions occur later in pregnancy, mainly in the third trimester. However, they can happen any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Symptoms of Placental Abruption
Identifying the signs of a placental abruption can be challenging because the initial symptoms often mimic other pregnancy complications. Vaginal bleeding is the most common sign of an abruption. Additional symptoms can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Mild to severe vaginal bleeding
- Backache or back pain
- Uterine contractions
- Uterine tenderness
You may also experience a decrease in movement from your baby. If you experience any vaginal bleeding, discomfort, or cramping, speak with your medical provider as soon as possible.
Placental abruption can occur suddenly, and the cause is often unknown. However, abdominal trauma and falls can increase a woman’s risk of suffering a placental abruption. Risk factors that can lead to a potential placental abruption diagnosis include:
- Abdominal trauma from a slip-and-fall, car accident, or other trauma
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Smoking or using recreational drugs while pregnant
- Uterine fibroids
- Chorioamnionitis or an infection in the amniotic fluid
A woman’s age may increase her risk of developing a placental abruption. A previous history of placental abruption can also increase a woman’s risk of suffering another abruption. Some research suggests that a woman has a 15 percent chance of having another abruption in a future pregnancy. If you have a history of two prior abruptions, your risk increases to about 25 percent.
What are the Complications From a Placental Abruption?
The placenta and umbilical cord are critical for the baby while they grow and develop in the womb. A placental abruption can turn life-threatening for the baby and the mother, especially if left untreated or undiagnosed. Risks to a baby associated with a placental abruption include:
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Growth issues
- Brain damage
- Stillbirth
The potential risks to the mother can involve:
- Kidney failure
- Anemia
- Blood clotting conditions
- Hemorrhages
- Shock
If medical professionals cannot control the bleeding, the mother may need to undergo blood transfusions or a hysterectomy. For the health of the mother and baby, seeking immediate medical attention is essential.
Diagnosing and Treating a Placental Abruption
Diagnostic tests can help to identify whether a woman is suffering from a placental abruption. Most practitioners begin by conducting a complete and comprehensive medical history and evaluating your symptoms. They may ask about how much bleeding you have experienced, when symptoms started, and how much pain you have. They may also monitor your blood pressure, fetal heart rate, and contractions. An ultrasound can also locate the source of the bleeding and check the status of the fetus.
Unfortunately, the placenta cannot be reattached or repaired when it detaches from the uterine wall. Treatment options depend on the severity of the detachment. If the fetus is not close to term and the condition is mild, most medical professionals will monitor the mother and baby closely and recommend rest. In cases of severe placental abruption and significant bleeding, it may be necessary to deliver the baby, even if the child is not close to term.
When the baby is close to term, your doctor may only need to monitor a mild abruption, and your pregnancy can continue to full term. Corticosteroids may also be prescribed to help the baby’s lungs mature. When the abruption is severe, medical personnel may deliver the baby immediately, generally with an emergency cesarean section.
When to Contact a Seattle Attorney for Help
Do you believe that the careless actions of a doctor or medical practitioner caused you or your baby significant physical harm? When medical providers fail to diagnose or properly treat a medical condition like placental abruption, the consequences for you and your family can be dire physically, emotionally, and financially.
Discuss your situation with an experienced Seattle medical malpractice attorney. At Smith McBroom, our medical malpractice and birth injuries team can help you seek justice and recover meaningful compensation for your family’s financial losses.
Contact our Seattle office immediately to set up a free legal consultation. Our compassionate team can listen to you and evaluate your situation before outlining your legal options.