Ablatio Placentae - Placenta Abruptio

Symptoms & Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Symptoms may vary, depending on:

  • how much of the placenta has detached
  • during which stage of pregnancy it occurs

    • Thirty percent of placenta abruptios are small and produce no symptoms. When the case is severe, symptoms may include:

  • vaginal bleeding
  • severe abdominal pain, which is different from uterine contractions
  • uterus is tender and contracted tightly
  • fetal distress, detected by fetal monitoring
  • constant contractions, called uterine tetany
  • back pain
  • uterine tenderness
  • maternal shock, with low blood pressure and inadequate blood flow to vital organs

    • This condition is sometimes confused with placenta previa.