A Detaching Placenta During Pregnancy
A detaching placenta during pregnancy is one of the most serious situations that can arise as the baby may not receive the oxygen or nutrients it needs.
This problem may require more or less care based on several factors, such as the patient’s gestation period, location, and medical history.
Why is this happening?
It is not yet known exactly why placental detachment occurs, although certain risk factors increase the chances of developing this condition.
High-risk conditions include:
- Suffering from high blood pressure.
- Be older than 35.
- To smoke.
- Infection of the uterus.
- Abdominal injury as a result of an accident.
- Have had a detaching placenta in previous pregnancies.
As we can see, detaching placenta during pregnancy is one of the most serious problems that can develop during this time. It is important that women have close monitoring throughout their pregnancy and go to the doctor if they experience any strange symptoms, especially bleeding.
This situation is actually much more common than you might think. It occurs in about 20% of pregnancies and causes great concern for the parents.
Symptoms of a Detached Placenta During Pregnancy
Abdominal pain with a detaching placenta
When there is a detachment of the placenta, the woman usually experiences severe abdominal pain, which is described as sharp and stabbing. In some cases, contractions may also occur. The uterus will harden, making it possible to notice this obvious change.
Vaginal Bleeding
Another symptom is vaginal bleeding or bleeding. The amount of blood loss is proportional to the amount of placenta separated from the uterus.
Other symptoms of a detaching placenta
Every body is different, so it’s important to remember that the same symptoms don’t always appear in all pregnancies.
There is not always blood loss or bleeding. For this reason , it is advisable to consult your doctor in case of strange symptoms, such as uterine contractions or variations in fetal movements.
Risks depending on the time of pregnancy
first trimester
When a detachment of the placenta occurs during the first trimester, the risks are usually significantly lower than later in the pregnancy.
If the doctor can find the cardiac activity of the fetus, then the prognosis is usually positive, as regression occurs in 80 to 90% of cases. However, if the problem occurs after the second month, the prognosis is less encouraging.
If the doctor can’t find heart activity, then the situation is worrisome. This is because there is a high chance that a miscarriage has occurred. In these cases, the fetus is usually expelled naturally.
The second and third trimester
A detaching placenta is more frequent during the third trimester of pregnancy and its severity depends on the clinical situation that caused it. For example, if it’s an occasional hematoma, then it’s not that serious. This consists of a tear in a vein in the lower part of the placenta.
On the other hand, if the detachment is known as retroplacental hematoma, then it is a premature detachment of the placenta. The result is a lack of oxygen for the baby. If this condition is not treated in time, the baby can die.
In terms of symptoms, there are some key differences between these two types of hematomas. When it is an occasional hematoma, the bleeding is usually not profuse and its color is dark or even black.
However, if it is a retroplacental hematoma, the most common symptoms include:
- A hard stomach.
- Permanent and acute abdominal pain.
- Dark and little profuse bleeding.
- Weakness and nausea.
It should be borne in mind that in both the second and third trimesters, your doctor should be notified as soon as possible in the event of any type of bleeding.
