Which symptom describes placental abruption?

Which symptom describes placental abruption?

• A. Sudden-onset vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, frequent uterine contractions
• B. Painless vaginal bleeding
• C. Intermittent pain with contractions
• D. Placenta covering cervical os on ultrasound

Answer: (A)

Placental abruption shows up as a sudden onset of vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain and frequent uterine contractions. The placenta begins to detach from the uterine wall, causing bleeding into the uterus and uterine irritability, which makes the uterus frequently contract and often feel firm or tense. This combination of painful bleeding and a tender, contracting uterus is the hallmark. Painless vaginal bleeding points to placenta previa, where the placenta sits low near or over the cervix, and would not typically involve painful contractions. Intermittent pain with contractions could be labor or Braxton Hicks contractions rather than abruption. Ultrasound finding of placenta covering the cervical os confirms placenta previa.

Placental abruption shows up as a sudden onset of vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain and frequent uterine contractions. The placenta begins to detach from the uterine wall, causing bleeding into the uterus and uterine irritability, which makes the uterus frequently contract and often feel firm or tense. This combination of painful bleeding and a tender, contracting uterus is the hallmark.

Painless vaginal bleeding points to placenta previa, where the placenta sits low near or over the cervix, and would not typically involve painful contractions. Intermittent pain with contractions could be labor or Braxton Hicks contractions rather than abruption. Ultrasound finding of placenta covering the cervical os confirms placenta previa.