Second-trimester placental abruption and ultrasound

Placental abruption happens when the placenta separates from the womb wall before birth. An ultrasound may look at the placenta, its position, the baby, fluid, and signs of a collection of blood. Abruption can be difficult to see on imaging, especially when the separation is small or bleeding is hidden behind the placenta. The healthcare team therefore combines the scan with symptoms, abdominal examination, blood pressure, blood tests, and checks of the baby's wellbeing. The scan is not a substitute for urgent assessment.

If you have vaginal bleeding, abdominal or back pain, uterine tenderness, or frequent tightening in the second trimester, contact maternity services immediately. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or unwell. Bring details of when symptoms began, bleeding colour and amount, pain pattern, and any reduced fetal movement if movement has already been established. The team may monitor you and the baby, repeat examinations or imaging, and decide whether admission or treatment is needed. A Caesarean Section may be considered in some emergencies, depending on gestation and the condition of you and the baby.

Call emergency services or go to a maternity emergency unit for heavy bleeding, severe or constant abdominal pain, a hard or tender womb, fainting, dizziness, breathing difficulty, or feeling suddenly weak. Seek immediate assessment for any bleeding in pregnancy, even if an earlier scan was reassuring. Worsening symptoms can require action before another scan is available.

Ask what the scan showed about the placenta and baby, whether monitoring or repeat imaging is needed, and which symptoms require returning immediately. Ask how blood tests and fetal monitoring affect the plan, and what treatments or birth options might be considered if the situation changes.