Placental abruption (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Placental abruption|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Placental abruption|here]]''' | ||
{{Placental abruption (patient information)}} | {{Placental abruption (patient information)}} | ||
'''Editor-in-Chief:''' [[C. Michael Gibson]], M.S.,M.D. [mailto: | '''Editor-in-Chief:''' [[C. Michael Gibson]], M.S.,M.D. [mailto:charlesmichaelgibson@gmail.com] Phone:617-632-7753; {{AE}} [[Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan]], M.B.B.S. | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Placenta abruptio is the | Placenta abruptio is the separation of the placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus) from its attachment to the uterus wall before the baby is delivered. | ||
==What are the symptoms | ==What are the symptoms?== | ||
*Abdominal pain | *[[Abdominal pain]] | ||
*Back pain | *[[Back pain]] | ||
*Frequent uterine contractions | *Frequent uterine contractions | ||
*Uterine contractions with no relaxation in between | *Uterine contractions with no relaxation in between | ||
*Vaginal bleeding | *[[Vaginal bleeding]] | ||
==What causes | ==What are the causes?== | ||
*The exact cause of a placental abruption may be hard to determine. | *The exact cause of a placental abruption may be hard to determine. | ||
* | *Direct causes are rare, but include: | ||
:*Injury to the belly area (abdomen) from a fall, hit to the abdomen, or automobile accident | :*Injury to the belly area (abdomen) from a fall, hit to the abdomen, or automobile accident | ||
:*Sudden loss of uterine volume (can occur with rapid loss of amniotic fluid or after a first twin is delivered) | :*Sudden loss of uterine volume (can occur with rapid loss of amniotic fluid or after a first twin is delivered) | ||
| Line 44: | Line 43: | ||
*Call your health care provider if you are in an auto accident, even if the accident is minor. | *Call your health care provider if you are in an auto accident, even if the accident is minor. | ||
*Call your doctor right away if you have | *Call your doctor right away if you have bleeding during pregnancy. | ||
*See your health care provider right away, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or go to the emergency room if you are pregnant and have [[vaginal bleeding]] and severe [[abdominal pain]] or contractions during your pregnancy. | *See your health care provider right away, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or go to the emergency room if you are pregnant and have [[vaginal bleeding]] and severe [[abdominal pain]] or contractions during your pregnancy. | ||
*Placental abruption can quickly become an | *Placental abruption can quickly become an emergency condition that threatens the life of both the mother and baby. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
| Line 55: | Line 54: | ||
*[[Complete blood count]] | *[[Complete blood count]] | ||
*Fetal monitoring | *Fetal monitoring | ||
*Fibrinogen level | *[[Fibrinogen|Fibrinogen level]] | ||
*Partial thromboplastin time | *[[Partial thromboplastin time]] | ||
*Pelvic exam | *Pelvic exam | ||
*Prothrombin time | *[[Prothrombin time]] | ||
*Vaginal ultrasound | *Vaginal ultrasound | ||
| Line 68: | Line 67: | ||
*The unborn baby will be watched for signs of distress, which includes an abnormal heart rate. | *The unborn baby will be watched for signs of distress, which includes an abnormal heart rate. | ||
*An | *An emergency [[cesarean section]] may be needed, if: | ||
:* | :*Baby is very premature | ||
:* | :*There is only a small placental separation | ||
*The mother may be kept in the hospital for close observation. She may be released after several days if the condition does not get worse. | *The mother may be kept in the hospital for close observation. She may be released after several days if the condition does not get worse. | ||
*If the fetus is developed enough, vaginal delivery may be done if it is safe for the mother and child. Otherwise, a cesarean section may be done. | *If the [[fetus]] is developed enough, vaginal delivery may be done if it is safe for the mother and child. Otherwise, a cesarean section may be done. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Placental abruption?== | ==Where to find medical care for Placental abruption?== | ||
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*The mother does not usually die from this condition. | *The mother does not usually die from this condition. | ||
*However, all of the following | *However, all of the following increase the risk for death in both the mother and baby: | ||
:*Closed cervix | :*Closed cervix | ||
:*Delayed diagnosis and treatment of placental abruption | :*Delayed diagnosis and treatment of placental abruption | ||
| Line 90: | Line 89: | ||
:*No labor | :*No labor | ||
* | *Fetal distress occurs early in the condition in about half of all cases. | ||
*Infants who live have a 40-50% chance of complications, which range from mild to severe. | *Infants who live have a 40-50% chance of complications, which range from mild to severe. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
*Excess blood loss may lead to shock and possible death in the mother or baby. | *Excess blood loss may lead to [[shock]] and possible [[death]] in the mother or baby. | ||
*If bleeding occurs after the delivery and blood loss cannot be controlled in other ways, the mother may need a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). | *If [[bleeding]] occurs after the delivery and [[blood loss]] cannot be controlled in other ways, the mother may need a [[hysterectomy]] (removal of the [[uterus]]). | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
| Line 105: | Line 104: | ||
*Recognizing and managing conditions in the mother such as [[diabetes]] and [[Hypertension (patient information)|high blood pressure]] also decrease the risk of placental abruption. | *Recognizing and managing conditions in the mother such as [[diabetes]] and [[Hypertension (patient information)|high blood pressure]] also decrease the risk of placental abruption. | ||
== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000901.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000901.htm | ||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Disease | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Obstetrics]] | [[Category:Obstetrics]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | ||
{{WH}} | |||
{{WS}} | |||
Latest revision as of 14:17, 10 May 2013
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Placental abruption |
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Placental abruption On the Web |
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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Placenta abruptio is the separation of the placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus) from its attachment to the uterus wall before the baby is delivered.
What are the symptoms?
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Frequent uterine contractions
- Uterine contractions with no relaxation in between
- Vaginal bleeding
What are the causes?
- The exact cause of a placental abruption may be hard to determine.
- Direct causes are rare, but include:
- Injury to the belly area (abdomen) from a fall, hit to the abdomen, or automobile accident
- Sudden loss of uterine volume (can occur with rapid loss of amniotic fluid or after a first twin is delivered)
- Placental abruption, which includes any amount of placental separation before delivery, occurs in about 1 out of 150 deliveries. The severe form, which can cause the baby to die, occurs only in about 1 out of 800 to 1,600 deliveries.
Who is at highest risk?
Risk factors include:
- Blood clotting disorders (thrombophilias)
- Cigarette smoking
- Cocaine use
- Diabetes
- Drinking more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week during pregnancy
- High blood pressure during pregnancy (about half of placental abruptions that lead to the baby's death are linked to high blood pressure)
- History of placenta abruptio
- Increased uterine distention (may occur with multiple pregnancies or very large volume of amniotic fluid)
- Large number of past deliveries
- Older mother
- Premature rupture of membranes (the bag of water breaks before 37 weeks into the pregnancy)
- Uterine fibroids
When to seek urgent medical care?
- Call your health care provider if you are in an auto accident, even if the accident is minor.
- Call your doctor right away if you have bleeding during pregnancy.
- See your health care provider right away, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or go to the emergency room if you are pregnant and have vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain or contractions during your pregnancy.
- Placental abruption can quickly become an emergency condition that threatens the life of both the mother and baby.
Diagnosis
Tests may include:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Complete blood count
- Fetal monitoring
- Fibrinogen level
- Partial thromboplastin time
- Pelvic exam
- Prothrombin time
- Vaginal ultrasound
Treatment options
- Treatment may include fluids through a vein (IV) and blood transfusions.
- The mother will be carefully monitored for symptoms of shock.
- The unborn baby will be watched for signs of distress, which includes an abnormal heart rate.
- An emergency cesarean section may be needed, if:
- Baby is very premature
- There is only a small placental separation
- The mother may be kept in the hospital for close observation. She may be released after several days if the condition does not get worse.
- If the fetus is developed enough, vaginal delivery may be done if it is safe for the mother and child. Otherwise, a cesarean section may be done.
Where to find medical care for Placental abruption?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Placental abruption
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- The mother does not usually die from this condition.
- However, all of the following increase the risk for death in both the mother and baby:
- Closed cervix
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment of placental abruption
- Excessive blood loss, leading to shock
- Hidden (concealed) uterine bleeding in pregnancy
- No labor
- Fetal distress occurs early in the condition in about half of all cases.
- Infants who live have a 40-50% chance of complications, which range from mild to severe.
Possible complications
- If bleeding occurs after the delivery and blood loss cannot be controlled in other ways, the mother may need a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).
Prevention
- Avoid drinking, smoking, or using recreational drugs during pregnancy.
- Get early and regular prenatal care.
- Recognizing and managing conditions in the mother such as diabetes and high blood pressure also decrease the risk of placental abruption.