What should you know about suspected placental abruption?

Maternity clinicians assess your symptoms, blood pressure, pulse, pain, bleeding and the baby's heart rate. Blood tests and ultrasound may be used, although a normal scan does not always exclude an abruption. The team considers the pregnancy stage and the condition of both patients when deciding whether close observation or delivery is needed.

Call maternity emergency services or go to hospital immediately if abruption is suspected. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or unwell. Use a pad to observe bleeding, avoid inserting anything into the vagina, and take your antenatal records and medicines list if this does not delay care. Treatment may include monitoring, blood support or urgent birth, including a [Caesarean Section](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/caesarean-section/).

Seek emergency help for vaginal bleeding, sudden or persistent abdominal or back pain, a hard tender abdomen, frequent contractions, faintness, weakness, breathlessness or reduced fetal movement. Treat reduced movement as urgent even when there is no visible bleeding.

After immediate assessment, ask what the monitoring showed, whether admission is needed, which symptoms should trigger a return, and how the birth plan may change.