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Placental Abruption
When the placenta separates partially or completely from the wall of the uterus before
birth, this is called placental abruption. This is a serious condition that can deprive
the baby of oxygen and can cause the mother life-threatening bleeding.
Placental abruption can occur anytime after the 20th week of pregnancy and it occurs in
approximately 1 out of 100 pregnancies.
High blood pressure,
cocaine use, and
smoking
increases the risk of placental abruption. If a pregnant woman had an abruption with a previous
pregnancy, then her risk of another abruption is 10%.
A doctor will use
ultrasound in
order to diagnose the condition. If the abruption is mild, then the pregnancy can continue
normally but with monitoring (usually with a hospital stay). If the abruption is serious,
the baby may be delivered right away by cesarean section.
To find out more about placental abruption, take a look at the
placental abruption page here
at HighRisk.org and the
March of Dimes.
Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PROM)
Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) occurs when the
amniotic sac that
surrounds the baby breaks before before the onset of labor. If the amniotic sac breakes before
37 weeks gestation this is called preterm premature rupture of the memebranes (PPROM).
The amniotic sac is filled with amniotic fluid that surrounds and cushions the baby during gestation.
This fluid keeps the umbilical cord from being compressed and allows the baby to move freely. The amniotic
sac works as a barrier to protect the baby from bacteria and viruses that can cause infection.
When the amniotic sac breaks before 37 weeks, the baby is potentially exposed to serious infections such as
group B streptococci and
endometritis. In addition, there is increased risk of
placental abruption.
If the baby is very premature, the doctor may try to delay labor using
drugs until the baby's lungs mature. However, if there is infection present, the baby will need to be
delivered immediately.
To find out more about PPROM, take a look at the
University of Maryland
Medical Center website.
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