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Home > Medical Malpractice > Birth Injury > Placenta Abruption

Placenta Abruption Missouri Birth Injury Attorneys

The placenta is an organ that plays an important role in the development of a baby. It is the link between mother and baby, and serves to provide nutrients and oxygen to the baby. Linked to the baby through the umbilical cord, the placenta also serves to remove waste from the baby to the mother's blood. This waste is removed via the mother's kidney.

Normally weighing about 1 pound, the placenta protects the fetus from infections, and also provides hormones that are involved in triggering labor and delivery. After the baby is born, the placenta is delivered as afterbirth.

Placental abruption occurs when the placenta partially detaches from the walls of the uterus. When this happens, the mother can suffer heavy bleeding, and it will also cause the baby to be deprived of life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients. Placenta abruption will cause death of the baby, if not the mother, if left untreated. Occurring usually around the third trimester, placental abruption affects 9 out of every 1,000 pregnancies. Placental abruption can also occur anytime after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Symptoms of Placenta Abruption

Placental abruption can occur at any time, normally around the middle of the second trimester. Some of the symptoms of placental abruption are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Back pain
  • Contractions occurring rapidly, often one after another
  • Bleeding
  • Symptoms of shock: lightheadedness, confusion, feeling week or nauseous, fast shallow breathing

If you are pregnant and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek emergency care immediately. The amount of bleeding you may be experiencing is not an effective indicator of the seriousness of the placental abruption. Sometimes the blood is trapped and there may not be much apparent bleeding.

Risk Factors of Placental Abruption:

  • Previous pregnancies: the more pregnancies you have had, the higher the risk for placental abruption.
  • Previous incidence of placental abruption: If a previous pregnancy you had experienced placental abruption, you have 15% higher risk of experiencing it again.
  • High blood pressure: both chronic high blood pressure and pregnancy-related high blood pressure puts you at risk for placental abruption.
  • Disorders of the blood: if you have a blood disorders that impairs your blood's ability to clot, you are at higher risk of placental abruption.
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple pregnancy: if you are carrying twins or other multiples, you are at greater risk of placental abruption.
  • Scar tissue on the uterine wall: if you have a scar from a previous surgery, you may be at risk for placental abruption.
  • An injury or trauma suffered to the uterus, for example, an automobile accident.
  • Over 40 years of age: placental abruption occurs more often with mothers of this age and older.
  • Drug use and/or abuse: smoking, alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamine use during pregnancy increases the risk of placental abruption.

Diagnosis and Treatment

An ultrasound is normally used to diagnose placental abruption. A blood test may also be conducted to determine if you may be anemic from blood loss. If placental abruption is diagnosed, several factors will determine your course of treatment:

  • The severity of the abruption
  • How the abruption is affecting the baby
  • How close is your due date

There is unfortunately no way to stop a placenta from detaching, and no treatment exists to reattach a detached placenta. It is common however for a mild abruption to heal in time. In this situation, you may be able to go home. If the abruption is more severe, hospitalization may be necessary to keep a close watch over you and the baby. Depending on the severity, the baby may be delivered by c-section.

Millikan Wright LLC has experience in complex medical malpractice cases. Our results demonstrate our committment to helping families recover and heal from an injury or wrongful death. We work only on a contingency fee basis, which means no cost to you until we secure a financial settlement. If we do not win the case, we absorb the entire cost. To arrange a no-cost consultation and learn how you may be entitled to compensation, contact us online or call our personal injury lawyers at 877.621.0622 (314.621.0622 in St. Louis).

The Missouri Injury Attorneys of Millikan Wright LLC focus serving the needs of the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. On the Missouri side, our lawyers represent people injured in St. Louis city, St. Louis county, Jefferson county, Franklin county, St. Charles county, and Lincoln county. On the Illinois side, our attorneys represent people hurt in Madison county, St. Clair county and Monroe county.