Pregnancy after placental abruption: what to know

A placental abruption happens when the placenta separates from the uterus before birth. A past event gives your maternity team useful history, but it does not determine exactly what will happen in a later pregnancy. The team will consider how the previous abruption presented, your health, the current placenta, blood pressure, and the baby's growth.

Bleeding is not always obvious, because blood can remain behind the placenta. Abdominal or back pain, a tender or firm uterus, and contractions can also be warning signs.

Tell your maternity clinician about the previous abruption at the first pregnancy visit and bring any available discharge or birth information. Attend the recommended appointments and scans, discuss blood-pressure monitoring, and ask how the baby's growth and placental position will be followed. Your plan may include a discussion about timing and mode of birth, including [Caesarean Section](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/caesarean-section/).

Go to urgent maternity assessment for any vaginal bleeding, persistent abdominal or back pain, painful or frequent contractions, a hard or tender abdomen, dizziness, faintness, or reduced fetal movement. Do not wait to see whether bleeding becomes heavy. Call emergency services if there is severe pain, collapse, or difficulty breathing.

Ask when your first specialist review should occur, which symptoms require immediate travel to hospital, how fetal growth will be monitored, and whether your previous birth affects the recommended delivery setting or timing.