Placental abruption

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Various factors may increase the risk of placental abruption, including:

  • Previous pregnancies. The more times you've been pregnant, the higher your risk of placental abruption.
  • Previous placental abruption. If you've experienced placental abruption before, the risk of experiencing it again may be 15 percent or even higher. The risk of preterm birth and preeclampsia — a serious pregnancy complication that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine — also is higher.
  • High blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of placental abruption, whether you have chronic high blood pressure or the high blood pressure first developed during pregnancy.
  • Blood-clotting disorders. Any condition that impairs your blood's ability to clot increases the risk of placental abruption.
  • Multiple pregnancy. Carrying twins, triplets or other multiples increases the risk of placental abruption.
  • Excess amniotic fluid. The risk of placental abruption is higher if you have an unusually large amount of amniotic fluid.
  • Age. Placental abruption is more common in women age 40 and older.
  • Abdominal trauma. Trauma to the abdomen — such as from a fall or other type of blow to the abdomen — increases the risk of placental abruption.
  • Substance abuse. Placental abruption is more common in women who smoke, drink alcohol, or use cocaine or methamphetamine during pregnancy.

DS00623

Dec. 5, 2007

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