PLACENTAL ABRUPTION

Few weeks ago, I was perturbed by an incident. One of my relatives delivered a premature baby (fetus of approximately 20 weeks old) who died immediately after birth. It seems the doctors were not sure of the cause and are planning to do a biopsy. I am not sure whether I can put the term “placental abruption” for that condition in which the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterus before the baby is born. I read that placental abruption occurs in 1 % of pregnancies world wide with a fetal mortality rate of 20-40% depending on the degree of separation. It seems trauma or injury to the abdomen, hypertension, short umbilical cord, prolonged rupture of membranes or rapid loss of amniotic fluid that surrounds and protects the baby in the uterus could cause placental abruption. The symptoms include mild abdominal cramps, constant backaches or frequent uterine contractions.