What is a placental abruption?
This is when the placenta pulls away from the womb, either in part or the whole of the placenta becomes separated causing bleeding and other symptoms. A placental abruption can pose a serious risk to both mother and baby and in the worst circumstances, can lead to death.
It is critical that any worrying symptoms are reported to the appropriate healthcare provider as soon as possible. They should investigate whether a placental abruption has taken place and investigate how severe it is. The appropriate medical intervention should then be put into place to keep both mother and baby safe.
Is it common?
This is not a common condition, but it can happen suddenly. It is therefore essential to contact a healthcare provider as soon as worrying symptoms are experienced.
It can happen any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is more common from around 28 weeks up to full term.
Why does it happen?
The cause is unknown but there are known risk factors that may result in a placental abruption taking place including:
· An abdominal injury
· Smoking or taking cocaine during pregnancy
· High blood pressure
What are the symptoms to be aware of?
The most obvious symptom is vaginal bleeding – the more blood is being lost the more serious the condition and this will inform a hospital of the required medical intervention.
Light bleeding may indicate partial separation of the placenta and may lead to a hospital admission or resting at home while being monitored.
Heavy bleeding indicates that the placenta has fully separated from the womb, and an emergency c-section may be appropriate.
In some cases, if the placenta is detached but in a particular position, blood may become trapped therefore there will be minimal, if any, external signs of bleeding. A hospital should conduct a range of tests in order to clearly identify what has happened.
Other warning signs include abdominal and / or backpain and unexpected contractions.
What does it mean for my baby?
As the placenta is responsible for providing a baby with vital oxygen and nutrients, a separation means a reduction in this critical supply.
While rare, a placental abruption can cause a premature birth, a low birth weight or growth problems. In the most serious cases, it can lead to catastrophic outcomes including a stillbirth, the death of the mother or the baby suffering a permanent brain injury.
What should I expect from my hospital if I suspect that I have placental abruption?
Time is critical when a placental abruption is suspected. It is important that a hospital carefully monitors both mother and baby when the red flags are present including:
· Asking how much vaginal bleeding has occurred – this will provide a good indicator with regards to whether the placenta has pulled away in part or wholly
· Conduct urine or blood tests
· Monitor the baby’s heart rate and movement – any abnormal results indicating that the baby is in distress should be acted on in a timely manner
· Perform an ultrasound – this will help medical staff identify the position of the placenta
· Check contractions if they are present
· Monitor the mother’s blood pressure
A thorough investigation should provide a full picture of what has happened and subsequently, the medical care required to keep mother and baby safe.
I lost my baby after a placental abruption – is my hospital at fault?
If there are suspicious that a hospital has failed to provide adequate care resulting in the preventable loss of a baby, our experts will investigate to get to the truth.
In some cases, the death of a baby following a placental abruption may have been entirely unavoidable if the hospital acted appropriately and quickly.
We forensically examine medical records to identify if medical negligence has occurred and will pursue the compensation that a grieving family is entitled to.
My baby is brain damaged after a placental abruption – could this have been avoided?
If a baby has suffered oxygen deprivation as a result of medical staff failing to act appropriately, or if medical intervention was delayed in emergency circumstances, they are entitled to significant compensation.
This provides a family with the peace of mind that their child’s lifelong and complex care needs can be met. To access compensation, it must be proved that a hospital failed in its duty of care – offering in excess of 30 years’ specialist experience in this complicated, and highly contested area of law, our birth injury experts are here to help.
What should I do if a placental abruption led to a catastrophic birth injury?
Parents’ instincts are often right – even if the medical professionals involved in their care have repeatedly claimed that nothing more could have been done to change the outcome.
If there are suspicions that something was not right in the care provided during a pregnancy, and up to after a baby is born, instructing the right birth injury law firm is recommended.
We have the expertise to identify whether it is likely that medical negligence may have caused a catastrophic birth injury resulting in the loss of a baby or permanent brain damage.
We forensically review medical records, working with the best independent and inhouse medical experts, to get to the truth securing justice and compensation.
Every family affected by an avoidable serious birth injury deserves accountability and compensation. Contact our empathetic team today – we are here to listen, and help.