Abruptio Placentae is defined as what?

• A. Placenta previa.
• B. Ectopic pregnancy.
• C. Uterine rupture.
• D. Premature separation of placenta from uterine wall.

Answer: (D)

Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after 20 weeks’ gestation. This event can cause vaginal bleeding and abdominal or back pain, and the uterus may be tender or rigid; sometimes the bleeding is concealed, so external signs aren’t always obvious. It can lead to maternal hemorrhage and fetal distress, making it a medical emergency. In the field, treat like obstetric hemorrhage: secure the airway and oxygen, place the patient on the left side to improve perfusion, establish two large-bore IVs, begin fluid resuscitation and prepare for rapid transport to a facility with obstetric care, while monitoring the mother and fetus as possible. Unlike placenta previa, which involves placental placement over the cervical opening and often presents with painless bleeding, or ectopic pregnancy, which is implantation outside the uterus, or uterine rupture, which is a tear of the uterine wall, abruptio placentae specifically refers to the placenta detaching from the uterine wall.