The premature separation of a normally located placenta from the uterine wall that occurs before delivery of the fetus.

• Revealed haemorrhage: Abruption may be revealed, when blood escapes through the vagina
• Concealed haemorrhage: concealed, when the bleeding occurs behind the placenta, with no evidence of bleeding from the vagina.
• Abruption may be partial, affecting only part of the placenta, or total, involving the entire placenta.

Risk factors:

ABRUPTION:

A for Abruption previously;

B for Blood pressure (i.e. hypertension or pre-eclampsia);

R for Ruptured membranes, either premature or prolonged;

U for Uterine injury (i.e. trauma to the abdomen);

P for Polyhydramnios;

T for Twins or multiple gestation;

I for Infection in the uterus, especially chorioamnionitis;

O for Older age (i.e. aged over 35 years old);

N for Narcotic use (i.e. cocaine and amphetamines, as well as smoking)

PC

• Vaginal bleeding (However in some cases haemorrhage may be confined to the uterus and thus concealed)
• Abdominal pain (often sudden and severe)