Placental Abruption During Pregnancy – Parenthood

Placental abruption is a serious complication that occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall before pregnancy ends. 

The placenta is responsible for supplying the baby with oxygen and nutrients from food through the umbilical cord; if its abruption is severe, it can represent a terrible risk to the life of the baby.

This delicate condition is generally experienced by a very small percentage of the total population of pregnant women; we are even talking about only 5%. It is also true that many expectant mothers who have it suffer only from the effects of a partial detachment, where only a small part of the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus.

To learn more about this severe problem, we detail each aspect related to placental rupture or abruption during pregnancy below .

Placental abruption during pregnancy

First of all, it is necessary to explain the nature of the placenta as well as its functions. The placenta is known as a sac or pouch that attaches to the uterus; In addition to the functions mentioned above, it is responsible for the production of a group of hormones related to pregnancy, such as  progesterone,  estrogen and chorionic gonadotropin.

The placenta also adheres to the uterus through multiple blood vessels. When it comes off, then there is hemorrhage  or bleeding and, of course, pain due to the rupture of the vessels.

However, not all placental abruption – or  placenta abruptio,  as it is called in medical terms – do not have the same degree of separation. In obstetrics, we recognize three types of degrees.

Degrees of placental abruption

There are three degrees to determine the type of placental abruption experienced by the mother. We describe them below:

Degree 1 or slight detachment

The symptoms of the first degree of placental abruption are light bleeding and little or no contractions. This degree of detachment does not represent a real danger for the fetus,  but it is preferable that the mother follows a treatment advised by the specialist and rests.

Degree 2 or moderate detachment

When a pregnant woman has second-degree abruption,  the symptoms intensify, there is heavy bleeding and contractions. In addition, these factors start to affect the health of the baby as he suffers from changes in his heart rate. It is important to clarify that if this occurs between weeks 24 and 34 of pregnancy, the patient will need to be hospitalized.

Degree 3 or deep detachment

In these cases, we speak of total placental abruption, in fact  the expectant mother will have to undergo an emergency cesarean section immediately. 

Due to the abundance of bleeding, it is common to give a blood transfusion to the pregnant woman. In addition, depending on the judgment of the attending physician, the mother may also have a hysterectomy.

Factors that can affect placental abruption

Placental abruption is not a very common pathology and the factors influencing its development are not very clear either. Of course, trauma can cause the placenta to detach, but among the causes that can affect we find:

• Smoking.
• Multiple pregnancies.
• History with detachments from previous pregnancies.

• Diabetes.
• Pregnant women over  forty.
• Infections of the uterus.
• If there is more amniotic fluid than average.
• The use of drugs such as cocaine.
• Arterial hypertension .

“The placenta also adheres to the uterus through multiple blood vessels. When it comes off, then there is hemorrhage or bleeding and, of course, pain ”

The consequences in the mother’s organism

The effects in the mother’s body are clotting problems; weakness due to heavy loss of blood, which involves transfusions, and kidney or heart failure. In severe cases, a hysterectomy will be required.

The consequences of a placental abruption on the fetus

In his body, the effects of the abruption  are manifested by a lack of oxygen, increased palpitations, premature birth and less than normal growth  because he did not receive nutrients  from food properly  .

Finally, be aware that, in most cases, this complication can occur randomly. Nevertheless,  you can reduce the risks by having a healthy pregnancy and by following the appropriate examinations with your obstetrician.