Signs and symptoms of placenta abruption: 

·        Vaginal bleeding

·        Abdominal pain

·        Back pain

·        Uterine tenderness

·        Rapid uterine contractions (often coming one right after another)

The abdominal pain and back pain associated with placenta abruption often begins suddenly. There is no way to tell how much of the placenta is detached by the amount of blood that is lost. The blood loss can be small amounts or significant amounts. Whenever placenta abruption is suspected, emergency care should be found immediately. 

The causes of placenta abruption are often unknown. Some known possibilities of the causes: 

·        Trauma to the abdomen

·        Injury to abdomen

·        Short umbilical cord (rare)

·        Rapid loss of amniotic fluid (rare)

Placental abruption is diagnosed by checking for uterine tenderness or rigidity. There may be blood tests or an ultrasound to help identify possible causes of vaginal bleeding. Placental abruption can only be confirmed after delivery by a blood clot attached to the placenta. 

Immediate medical care is needed for placenta abruption because of the risks to not only the fetus, but also to the mother. There is the risk of shock to the mother from the blood loss. The risks to the fetus include lack of oxygen to the brain and lack of nutrition. This can cause mental disabilities. The baby may be born prematurely or in some rare cases still born (when placenta abruption is not treated soon enough). Even when the bleeding stops and the pregnancy continues normally, there is the risk to the mom of hemorrhaging from the site of the separation once labor begins. 

In mild cases of placenta abruption, when the baby's heart rate is normal, and it's too soon for the baby to be born, the mother may be hospitalized for close monitoring. If the bleeding stops and the baby's condition is stable, the mom will be allowed to go home by the health care provider. At home, the mother will be expected to be stay in bed. Medication can be given to help the baby's lungs mature. A vaginal delivery can still be possible when placenta abruption is treated. When the placenta abruption progresses or jeopardizes the health of the mom or baby due to the severity of bleeding, a blood transfusion may be necessary. 

Anytime there is vaginal bleeding during a pregnancy, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.