Placental abruption or placental abruption is a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta separates from the inner uterine wall before delivery. This detachment of the placenta can cause the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetusbaby may decline or be stunted.
The placenta functions to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the baby, and to remove metabolic waste from the baby's body. The placenta is attached to the uterine wall. The organ which is often referred to as the placenta is also connected to the baby through the umbilical cord.
Placental abruption is a dangerous condition. In addition to inhibiting the supply of nutrients and oxygen, this condition can also cause the mother to experience heavy bleeding. Placental abruption causes many deaths in the mother or baby.
Placental abruption often occurs suddenly. In many cases, this separation of the placenta often occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy or a few weeks before the time of delivery arrives.
Causes of Placental Solution
Until now, the exact cause of placental abruption is not known. However, there are several conditions that can increase the risk of a pregnant woman experiencing placental abruption or abruptio placentae, namely:
- Pregnant at the age of 40 years and over
- Smoking while pregnant or taking drugs while pregnant
- Have a previous history of placental abruption
- Suffering from preeclampsia or eclampsia
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Having an injury to the stomach during pregnancy
- Pregnant with twins
- Having polyhydramnios
Symptoms of Placental Solution
The third trimester of pregnancy is a time that is prone to abruptio placentae. The main symptom that marks the occurrence of placental abruption is bleeding during pregnancy. However, this does not mean that all vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is a sign of placental abruption.
The amount of bleeding varies and does not necessarily indicate the severity of the placental separation that occurs. Sometimes blood is trapped in the uterus, so it does not come out or bleeding does not occur. As a result, the patient is not aware that he has placental abruption.
Apart from bleeding, some of the other symptoms that mark placental abruption are:
- Stomach or back pain.
- Continuous uterine contractions.
- The uterus or stomach feels tight.
Symptoms of placental abruption can also appear slowly (chronic). In this condition, the signs that appear are:
- Occasional light bleeding.
- Very little amniotic fluid.
- Baby growth is slower than normal conditions.
When to go to the doctor
Pregnant women need to have regular prenatal check-ups with a gynecologist. This is so that doctors can know the progress of pregnancy, as well as detect abnormal conditions in the mother or fetus.
If you experience symptoms of placental abruption, such as bleeding in the third trimester, you should see a doctor immediately. This condition needs to be treated immediately to prevent a fatal impact.
Diagnosis of Placental Solution
Placental abruption is classified as an emergency. Therefore, the doctor will immediately conduct a physical examination of the pregnant woman, including observing the symptoms suffered, such as bleeding or pain.
In addition to the condition of the pregnant woman, the condition of the fetus also needs to be checked. One of them is the fetal heart rate. All these inspections aim to determine the actions that need to be taken.
Actually, the diagnosis of placental abruption or placental abruption can only be established after delivery, namely by examining the placenta in a laboratory. Even so, some tests, such as pregnancy ultrasound, blood tests, or urine tests, can be performed on pregnant women to detect the possibility of placental abruption.
Placenta Solution Treatment
Management of placental abruption depends on the condition of the fetus and pregnant woman, gestational age, and the severity of the placental abruption. The placenta that has been separated from the uterine wall cannot be reattached. Treatment is more aimed at saving the lives of pregnant women and the fetus they contain.
If placental abruption or placental abruption occurs before 34 weeks of pregnancy, the obstetrician will ask the pregnant woman to be hospitalized so that her condition can be closely monitored. If the fetal heart rate is normal and the bleeding in the pregnant woman stops, it means that the placental abruption is not too severe and the pregnant woman can go home.
However, obstetricians will generally give corticosteroid injections to accelerate the growth of the fetal lungs. This is done as an anticipation if the condition of the separation of the placenta worsens, so delivery must be carried out immediately even though it has not yet entered its time.
If placental abruption occurs when the gestational age is more than 34 weeks, the doctor will seek a delivery process that does not endanger the mother and baby. If the placental abruption is not severe, the pregnant woman can still give birth normally. However, if this is not possible, the obstetrician will perform a cesarean section.
During labor, pregnant women who experience heavy bleeding may need to be assisted with blood transfusions. This is done to prevent pregnant women from experiencing blood deficiency.
Complications of Placental Solution
Placental abruption or placental abruption can cause serious complications for both mother and baby. These complications can include:
Complications in the mother
Pregnant women who suffer from placental abruption may experience:
- Blood clotting disorders.
- Hypovolemic shock due to blood loss.
- Kidney failure or other organ failure.
Severe bleeding can cause pregnant women to undergo surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). This condition can even lead to death in pregnant women.
Complications in babies
Complications that can be experienced by babies due to placental abruption are:
- Premature birth, so the baby is born with a low birth weight.
- The intake of nutrients and oxygen in the fetus is disturbed, so that the growth of the fetus in the womb is also hampered.
- Died in the womb, if the placental abruption experienced was severe.
Prevention of Placental Solution
Placental abruption or abruptio placentae cannot be prevented. However, there are several things that can be done to reduce the risk and anticipate the separation of the placenta. These efforts include:
- Do not smoke and do not take drugs, especially during pregnancy.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity during pregnancy.
- Routinely check with a gynecologist during pregnancy, especially if you are pregnant over the age of 40 years.
- Eat foods with a balanced nutritional content.