Placental abruption and placenta previa: what to know

Placenta previa, also called a low-lying placenta, means the placenta is close to or covers the cervix. It can cause bright-red bleeding, often without pain. Placental abruption means the placenta separates partly or fully from the womb wall before birth. It may cause abdominal or back pain, a tender or firm womb, contractions, and bleeding, although blood can remain behind the placenta. Symptoms do not always follow the textbook pattern, so do not wait for a particular colour or amount of blood before calling your maternity unit.

Call your maternity assessment service or emergency services immediately if you have bleeding, persistent pain, contractions, or reduced fetal movement. Lie on your side while waiting, keep your phone nearby, and avoid eating or drinking if emergency staff advise that urgent birth may be needed. Do not insert anything into the vagina or attend an examination elsewhere before speaking with the maternity team. Bring your pregnancy notes and tell staff about the timing, amount of blood, pain, and baby movements.

Treat any pregnancy bleeding with severe abdominal pain, a rigid or tender abdomen, dizziness, faintness, heavy bleeding, contractions, or reduced baby movements as an emergency. Sudden breathlessness, weakness, or collapse also needs emergency help. Assessment may include maternal observations, fetal monitoring, blood tests, and ultrasound. A growth scan may be used when the team needs to assess fetal growth or placental concerns; delivery planning can include a [Caesarean Section](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/caesarean-section/) when clinically indicated.

Ask where the placenta is positioned, what monitoring is planned, which symptoms require an ambulance, how fetal movements should be tracked, and how the birth plan may change.