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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffPlacental abruption is most likely in the last 12 weeks before birth. Classic signs and symptoms of placental abruption include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Uterine tenderness
- Rapid uterine contractions, often coming one right after another
Abdominal pain and back pain often begin suddenly. The amount of vaginal bleeding can vary greatly, and doesn't necessarily correspond to how much of the placenta has separated from the inner wall of the uterus. It's even possible to have a severe placental abruption and no visible bleeding, if the blood becomes trapped inside the uterus by the placenta.
In some cases, placental abruption develops slowly. If this happens, you might notice light, intermittent vaginal bleeding. Your baby might not grow as quickly as expected, and you might have low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) or other complications.
When to see a doctor
Seek emergency care if you experience any classic signs or symptoms of placental abruption, including:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Severe back pain
- Rapid uterine contractions — more than one contraction every three minutes
- Ananth CV, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of placental abruption. http://www.uptodate.com/index.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2011.
- Oyelese Y, et al. Management and outcome of pregnancies complicated by placental abruption. http://www.uptodate.com/index.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2011.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy and Childbirth Month to Month. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2010:373.
- Obstetrical hemorrhage. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.; The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=46. Accessed Oct. 14, 2011.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 22, 2011.
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