Overview of Placental Abruption

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The uterus encapsulates several different layers of fluids to keep your baby well-nourished and healthy.
As well as the amniotic sac and amniotic fluid, the placenta plays a major role in helping your baby develop.
The placenta's main purpose to to keep the amniotic sac, which holds the baby, attached to the uterine wall.
When the placenta starts to separate from the uterus, it is called a placental abruption.
Also called placenta abruptio or abruptio placentae, this is a dangerous condition that is impossible to reverse.
It occurs in one out of every 150 pregnancies, which can cause the mother to suffer from vaginal bleeding during the pregnancy.
Sometimes, the placenta only partially separates, while it can also become completely detached.
When the placenta becomes completely detached, it is very dangerous for a mother and her baby.
This tissue is basically the lifeline for the baby.
When it anchors the amniotic sac to the uterus, it allows a connection for the mother to provide nourishment and oxygen as well as remove wastes from the newborn through the bloodstream.
Thus, detachment can both starve and suffocate a baby.
Sadly, doctors do not know the exact cause of placental abruption.
However, there are certain risk factors that increase your chance of having this problem during your pregnancy.
These include smoking, using cocaine, pregnancy over the age of 35, preeclampsia, hypertension, pregnant with multiples, previous placenta abruptio, abdomen trauma such as a car wreck, and abnormalities with your uterus.
The main sign of placental abruption is vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy.
However, an estimated 20% of cases will not show blood.
The other symptoms of this condition include uterine tenderness, rapid contractions, pain in the abdomen, as well as fetal heart rate problems.
If you suspect that you have this problem, there are several things that doctors can do to double-check.
You can schedule an ultrasound, but this will only show half of your uterus.
Often, an obstetrician must observe your contractions and the fetal response to them (including changes in heart rate) in order to gauge whether or not you have this issue.
Depending on if your placental abruption is partial or total, there are different ways that you can deal with this condition.
If it is only partially separated, you will probably have to undergo bed rest, at least until the bleeding stops.
If the tear is more severe, you may have to stay in a hospital so that doctors can continuously monitor the baby's condition.
Lastly, if the tear is serious, you will probably have to undergo an immediate caesarean section.
Although it is not possible for a doctor to prevent you from suffering from placental abruption, your obstetrician can deliver the baby as safely and skillfully as possible.
However, when a doctor fails in his or her duty to you in this, your baby can be left with severe health issues.
If your baby has suffered from a birth injury at the hands of a negligent doctor, talk to a birth injury attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams PC.
, today.
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