Placental Abruption: An Obstetric Emergency

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AETOSWire) : Placental abruption refers to partial or complete placental detachment prior to delivery of the fetus. Approximately one percent of all pregnant women experience placental abruption, of which most can be managed successfully. It is more commonly observed in women having undergone multiple pregnancies or in patients that have a history of significantly high blood pressure or excessive amniotic fluid.

Emirates Hospital- Jumeirah (EHJ) – an Emirates Healthcare company and an internationally recognized 100-bed beacon of progress in the region’s healthcare system, dealt with a similar case when a 35-weeks pregnant Russian national with a prior caesarean section was rushed to the hospital as soon as she started bleeding. On examination doctors found it to be a case of Placental Abruption. “As the patient was bleeding continuously with labor pains and previous caesarean section, she was rushed for an emergency caesarean section. She later gave birth to a healthy average weight baby,” said Dr Kanika Gupta, Specialist Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Emirates Hospital – Jumeirah. 

Placental abruption is a rare condition and affects one or two patients in a year, delivery is often considered the safest option. If the fetus is stable, normal delivery may be an option, but a caesarean delivery is recommended in case of fetus distress or severe bleeding. Placental abruption can also result in premature birth or significantly low weight during birth. Approximately 15 percent of the severe placental abruption result in the death of the fetus, said Dr Kanika Gupta.

In addition to placental abruption, increase in blood pressure during pregnancy, known as pre-eclampsia, is another life-threatening condition. The pregnancy-specific hypersensitive disorder is responsible for the death of nearly 76,000 mothers and 500,000 infants throughout the world. However, reports suggest that prenatal screening in combination with simple preventive treatments could reduce maternal deaths of pre-eclampsia from 50,000 annually to less than 9,000. “A vigilant check on the patient’s condition can ensure that high-risk pregnancy is well managed,” concluded Dr Kanika Gupta.

Dr Kanika emphasizes that at Emirates Hospital – Jumeirah, 90 percent of the deliveries are conducted normal, especially if the patient is a first-time mother or has had a normal delivery in the past. It is recommended that women with unusual symptoms during a pregnancy should visit their health care provider to arrive at a correct diagnosis. Accurate medical examination can result in administering the appropriate treatment well in time ensuring a healthy mother and healthy baby.