What is Placental Abruption?
Placental abruption occurs when part of the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery. Bleeding can be detected through the vagina, or may be concealed in the uterus but both are often associated with pain in your abdomen. While most abruptions are small and don’t impact on mom or baby, if placental abruption is suspected medical assistance is required immediately as the condition can threaten the life of both mother and baby.
Some complications include:
- Severe hemorrhage
- Coagulopathy
- Hysterectomy
- Increased risk of adverse cardiac events
Researchers have found that placental abruption is linked to increased risks of heart disease and stroke mortality, alongside non-fatal cardiovascular disease events. The research highlights that women that had placental abruption are at 2x the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke. There has also been evidence of compounding cardiovascular disease mortality risks with a greater number of abruptions in women across multiple pregnancies.
Risk Factors
Given the cardiovascular risks associated with placental abruption, it is important to understand the risk factors and make sure that efforts are made to reduce the risk for both the mother and the baby. The following factors put you at higher risk for placental abruption:
- High blood pressure
- Previous history of placental abruption
- Smoking during pregnancy
- Cocaine use during pregnancy
- Drinking during pregnancy
- Maternal age (40 +)
- Multiple fetuses or pregnancies
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