What is placental abruption?
Placental abruption, also known as abruptio placentae, is a serious complication in pregnancy where the placenta, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus, detaches from the inner wall of the uterus before childbirth. When this happens, it can deprive the unborn baby of these vital supplies and cause severe bleeding in the mother.
What are the causes and risk factors of placental abruption?
The exact cause of placental abruption is often unknown, but several risk factors can increase the likelihood of it happening:
- A prior incidence of placental abruption
- High blood pressure
- Abdominal trauma
- Smoking and substance abuse
- Multiple pregnancies
- Being an older mother
- Premature rupture of membranes
What are the symptoms of placental abruption?
If there is a partial separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus symptoms may be less serious and may be possible to manage them, depending on how far into the pregnancy it occurs and the wellbeing of both fetus and mother. If the placenta fully detaches, however, symptoms are likely to be more severe and immediate medical attention is required prevent to prevent harm to the mother and the baby.
Common symptoms of placental abruption include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Uterine tenderness
- Rapid contractions
- Fetal distress
How is placental abruption diagnosed?
Placental abruption is generally diagnosed when the mother displays one or more of the symptoms above. The diagnosis is confirmed by physical examination, which may include:
- Medical history and physical examination: Doctors will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination to check for signs of placental abruption.
- Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan helps to visualise the placenta and the extent of the separation.
- Fetal heart rate monitoring: Continuous electronic monitoring of the baby's heart rate can identify distress.
- Blood tests: Blood tests check for anemia, clotting issues, and overall blood loss in the mother.
How is placental abruption treated?
The way placental abruption is treated depends on the severity, stage of pregnancy, and health of the mother and baby. The main goal of any treatment is to ensure their safety.
- Hospitalisation: Mild cases may require hospitalisation for close monitoring. If the condition stabilises, the pregnancy may continue under careful watch.
- Delivery: Moderate to severe cases may need immediate delivery. The method of delivery depends on the condition of the mother and baby. Sometimes a cesarean section is necessary.
- Blood transfusions and IV fluids: Severe cases may require blood transfusions and intravenous fluids to stabilise the mother.
- Medications: Doctors may prescribe medications to manage pain, prevent early labour, and support the baby's lung development if early delivery is expected.
Medical negligence claims arising from placental abruption
Medical negligence cases related to placental abruption often involve failure to diagnose the condition promptly, inadequate monitoring of the wellbeing of the fetus and / or the mother and delayed or inappropriate treatment. Complications from such negligence can lead to severe outcomes for both mother and baby, including stillbirth, maternal hemorrhage, and long-term health issues for the child, such as cerebral palsy.
A claim for compensation may be pursued if it is determined that the healthcare provider's actions did not meet the accepted standard of care, directly resulting in harm.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team about an injury to a mother or baby resulting from placental abruption, speak to Louise Tyler. Louise is specialist in clinical negligence and is known for representing children with birth injury claims. She is also experienced in representing families at inquests which have involved the death of a child.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2025
