Placenta Abruption
Placental abruption occurs when the placenta partially or completely detaches from the uterus. In most cases, this takes place in the third trimester of a woman’s pregnancy.
Without early and skilled medical intervention, placental abruption is a life-threatening condition for both the mother and her unborn baby. For more information about your legal rights in a birth injury case, please call Stern Law, PLLC at (800) 462-5772 for a free consultation.
What causes a placental abruption?
Medical experts cannot say for sure what causes a placental abruption. However, they have been able to identify various risk factors that may contribute to the development of the condition, such as:
- Having a previous placental abruption
- Gestational hypertension
- Blood clotting disorders
- Preeclampsia or eclampsia
- A short umbilical cord
- A previous Cesarean section
- Maternal infection
- Premature water break
- Retroplacental fibromyoma
- An overabundance of amniotic fluid
- Bleeding early on in pregnancy
- Acute trauma, such as a car accident, assault or blow to the abdomen
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Tobacco use during pregnancy
- Use of drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, during pregnancy
- Multiple births
- Advanced maternal age
- A woman who has had numerous pregnancies
- Uterine abnormalities
- The presences of fibroids
What are the signs and symptoms of a placental abruption?
Until the severity of a placental abruption can be assessed, this condition is considered a medical emergency. In the majority of cases, a placental abruption will cause vaginal bleeding, ranging from a small amount to a sudden and intense gush of blood. However, for some women, bleeding may not be evident as the blood can, in certain circumstances, remain in the uterus and pool behind the placenta.
If you have any of the following signs and symptoms of a placental abruption, you should contact your doctor immediately:
- Cramping, uterine tenderness, moderate to severe abdominal pain, or back pain
- Spotting
- Bloody amniotic fluid, after a woman’s water breaks
- Intermittent or chronic contractions
- Limited to no fetal movement due to fetal distress
- Faintness
- Pallor
- Tachycardia
- Weakness
- Abdominal tenderness
- Enlarged uterus
- Moderate to severe uterine pain
- Fetal death
- Premature labor
- Shock
How does a placental abruption harm a baby?
There are a number of ways in which a placental abruption can cause harm to an expectant mother and her baby, especially if left untreated. A woman may experience the following effects:
- Hemorrhaging
- The inability of the uterus to contract after delivery, requiring medication to restore function
- Problems with blood clotting
- DIC
- Shock
- Diffuse cortical necrosis in the kidneys
- Pain
- Stillbirth
A baby may experience the following should a placental separation occur:
- Fetal distress
- Death
- Limited oxygen supply
- Brain damage
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood count
Placenta abruption is a medical emergency. Treatment for the condition will vary based on the severity of the abruption.
Placental abruption, preeclampsia and a devastating case of medical negligence
As recounted by Ken Stern: Although it is hard to imagine, sometimes doctors miss the signs and symptoms of complications that may put a pregnant woman at a greater risk of developing a placental abruption. One unforgettable case that was handled by Stern Law, PLLC is that of a 44-year-old woman who I had the privilege of representing several years ago.
During our initial consultation, my client was literally inconsolable as she described how she lost her baby due to a placental abruption just a week before her due date. Specifically, she said that throughout her pregnancy, her doctor never informed her that she had preeclampsia, a precursor to placental abruption when left untreated. Moreover, she was 42 years old at the time of her pregnancy, which is considered to be advanced maternal age. The woman’s age placed her at a greater risk for a placental abruption.
The woman explained that, all of the sudden, after waking up in the morning, she felt a horrible pain in her abdomen and intense cramping. It was a sensation unlike anything she ever felt before, during her previous pregnancies. She further stated that after a few minutes of intense cramping, she started hemorrhaging, and by the time she made it to the hospital, her baby died due to the severity of her condition. Despite being nearly full term, her baby was not able to survive the abruption due to severe distress.
The lesson learned here is a poignant one. Had my client’s doctor taken the time to properly monitor her and taken into consideration her advanced maternal age and her obvious case of preeclampsia, her baby would be alive and well. Having represented clients like this woman, I decided to dedicate my life’s work to making a difference for families whose children have experienced birth injuries caused by medical malpractice.
Although no amount of money can compensate this woman for her loss, it can at least help her to afford the tools necessary to recover as much as possible from the trauma of losing her child. I am proud to say that I was instrumental in helping my client hold responsible those who caused the death of my client’s innocent child. Despite the fact that this child could not be saved, my goal is to educate the public so that future lives will be spared.
For more information about placenta abruption and a free evaluation of your claim, please call Stern Law, PLLC at (800) 462-5772 today.
