Signs of placenta healing and ways to prevent it

**Signs of placental healing and when it occurs, in addition to treating partial placental abruption, will be discussed in this article via the Dalili Medical website.**

**What is the placenta?**
The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy, as it is attached to the wall of the uterus and acts as a vital link between the mother and the fetus. The placenta plays an essential role in the development of the fetus by providing the necessary oxygen and nutrients, and delivering them to the body's organs, especially the brain. It also contributes to the mother's metabolism and storing energy to support the proper growth of the fetus. The placenta is expelled shortly after the baby is born, usually within five to thirty minutes, in a process known as placenta accreta or the third stage of labor. Some complications related to the placenta may appear, such as the attached or separated placenta, which may pose a risk to the health of the mother and child if not treated appropriately.

**What is the difference between placental abruption and placenta previa?**
Placentia previa or low-lying placenta is one that partially or completely covers the cervix, making the birth process more complicated, but it remains attached to the uterus. Placental abruption refers to its partial or complete separation from the uterine wall, leading to vaginal bleeding during pregnancy or childbirth.

**What is the function of the placenta?**

The placenta performs a number of vital functions during pregnancy, the most prominent of which are:

- **Providing nutrients and oxygen:** Through the umbilical cord, the placenta transfers nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood to the fetus, ensuring its proper growth and development.

- **Removing waste:** The placenta removes waste such as carbon dioxide from the fetus's blood, returning it to the mother's bloodstream to be disposed of.

- **Producing hormones:** The placenta produces hormones necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy, such as estrogen, progesterone, lactogen, and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

- **Immune protection:** The placenta transfers antibodies from the mother to the fetus before birth, enhancing its immunity during the first months of its life.

**Does pregnancy continue after placental abruption?**

This depends on the severity of the symptoms and the duration of pregnancy. Gestational age and severity of the abruption are major factors that affect the baby's chances of survival. Early detection, close monitoring, and prompt treatment can help reduce complications.

**Does placental abruption recur?**
Yes, there is a 15% chance of another placental abruption in the next pregnancy. If there have been two previous abruptions, this percentage increases to about 25%.

**Does intercourse cause placental abruption?**
No, having intercourse during pregnancy is completely safe and is not considered a direct cause of placental abruption. However, it is preferable to avoid positions that may expose the mother to the risk of falling or abdominal trauma.

**When does partial placental abruption heal?**
As mentioned earlier, the placenta cannot heal and return to its normal position, but it is necessary to follow up the condition periodically with a specialist doctor to avoid any complications that may affect the mother or fetus during pregnancy and childbirth.

**Can partial placental abruption be treated?**

Yes, partial placental abruption can be treated, and the treatment methods depend on how close the due date is, but the placenta cannot be reattached again.

**The effect of placental abruption on pregnancy**

Placental abruption can lead to complications that threaten the life of the mother or fetus, including:

**For the child:**
- Premature birth

- Low birth weight

- Growth problems

- Brain injury due to lack of oxygen

- Stillbirth

**For the mother:**
- Blood loss

- Blood clotting problems

- Need for blood transfusion

- Bleeding

- Kidney failure

**Is partial placental abruption dangerous?**

Yes, partial placental abruption poses a great risk to the health of the mother and fetus, so the mother must follow up on her condition periodically with a specialist doctor to avoid any complications.

**Signs of placental healing**

1. Monitoring of incomplete fetuses and mild bleeding, and in the absence of uterine pain or fetal distress, hospitalization and monitoring should be performed.

2. Vaginal delivery if bleeding is under control and fetal monitoring is effective.

3. Performing a cesarean section in the event of signs of fetal distress or severe uncontrolled bleeding.

4. Emergency treatment according to the diagnosis, or in the event of evidence of a major separation, such as: severe bleeding, uterine contractions, or fetal distress.

**What is partial placental abruption?**
Placental abruption is a complication that may occur suddenly during pregnancy, and this problem can pose risks to the health of the mother and child. The placenta is known as a temporary organ that grows inside the uterus during pregnancy, as it connects the fetus to the uterus and acts as a life channel for it, as it provides it with nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord, and also helps in removing waste from the fetus's blood.

**What is the benefit of the placenta after childbirth?**

There is a common belief that eating the placenta after childbirth, after processing it and placing it in a capsule, may provide benefits such as increased energy, improved mood, increased breast milk, and reduced risk of postpartum depression and insomnia. However, it is important to note that these benefits have not been scientifically proven, but some research indicates potential risks associated with eating the placenta, such as the spread of bacterial or viral infections in the mother's blood.

**When is placenta previa normal?**

Placenta previa is considered normal at the beginning of pregnancy when the placenta is in a low position inside the uterus, and this position changes automatically as pregnancy progresses. This condition occurs in about 1 in 200 pregnancies, but if it persists, it can lead to severe bleeding and other complications in later stages of pregnancy, requiring immediate medical attention and close monitoring.

**Symptoms of partial placental abruption**

Placental abruption affects about 1% of pregnant women, and can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the third trimester 

The last one. Symptoms of partial placental abruption include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe or persistent abdominal and lower back pain
- Decreased fetal movement
- Pain when touching the uterine area
- Uterine contractions

**What are the signs of placental abruption?**

Initially, the signs of placental abruption are no different from the symptoms mentioned above, and they include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe or persistent abdominal and lower back pain
- Decreased fetal movement
- Pain when touching the uterine area
- Uterine contractions

**What are the causes of partial placental abruption?**

The causes of placental abruption are often unknown, but there are some factors that increase the risk of its occurrence, which requires seeking treatment. These factors include:

- Trauma or injury to the uterus

- History of placental abruption in a previous pregnancy

- High blood pressure

- Infection in the uterus

- Gestational diabetes or preeclampsia

- Smoking

- Short umbilical cord

- Advanced age (over 40 years)

- Presence of uterine fibroids

- Premature rupture of membranes

- Rapid loss of amniotic fluid

**Placentia previa**

- **Partially low placenta:** In this case, the placenta is in front of the fetus, i.e. in the anterior position, but it does not completely cover the cervix, but only partially. The doctor will not confirm the final position of the placenta before the eighth month, as the possibility of it rising is very high.

- **Completely low placenta:** This is the condition in which the placenta completely covers the cervix, blocking the birth canal. If the mother has had a previous cesarean section, the placenta may also cover the wound site. In the worst cases, the placenta may attach to the uterine wall at the site of the old wound, increasing the risk of bleeding or placental abruption as the fetus grows. This situation requires close follow-up by doctors until the time of delivery to avoid negative complications.

**When is placenta previa normal?**

Placenta previa is considered normal at the beginning of pregnancy when it is in a low position inside the uterus, as this position changes automatically as pregnancy progresses. This condition occurs in about 1 in 200 pregnancies, and if it persists, it may lead to severe bleeding and other complications in later stages of pregnancy, which requires immediate medical care and close monitoring.

**Symptoms of partial placental abruption**

Placental abruption affects about 1% of pregnant women, and can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the last trimester. Symptoms of partial placental abruption include:

- Vaginal bleeding

- Severe or persistent abdominal and lower back pain

- Decreased fetal movement

- Pain when touching the uterine area

- Uterine contractions

**What are the signs of placental abruption?**

Signs of placental abruption are similar to the symptoms mentioned above, and include:

- Vaginal bleeding

- Severe or persistent abdominal and lower back pain

- Decreased fetal movement

- Pain when touching the uterine area

- Uterine contractions

**What causes partial placental abruption?**

The causes of placental abruption are often unknown, but there are some factors that increase the risk of it occurring, which requires seeking treatment. These factors include:

- Trauma or injury to the uterus

- History of placental abruption in a previous pregnancy

- High blood pressure

- Infection in the uterus

- Gestational diabetes or preeclampsia

- Smoking

- Short umbilical cord

- Advanced age (over 40 years)

- Presence of uterine fibroids

- Premature rupture of membranes

- Rapid loss of amniotic fluid

**Placentia previa**

- **Partially low placenta:** In this case, the placenta is in front of the fetus, i.e. in the anterior position, but it does not completely cover the cervix, but only partially. The doctor will not confirm the final position of the placenta before the eighth month, as the possibility of it rising is very high.

- **Completely low placenta:** This is the condition in which the placenta completely covers the cervix, blocking the birth canal. If the mother has had a previous cesarean section, the placenta may also cover the wound site. In the worst cases, the placenta may attach to the uterine wall at the site of the old wound, increasing the risk of bleeding or placental abruption as the fetus grows. This situation requires close follow-up by doctors until the date of delivery to avoid negative complications.

**Treatment of partial placental abruption**

When the placenta partially separates from the uterus, it cannot be reattached or repaired. Treatment of partial placental abruption aims to maintain the continuity of pregnancy and allow the fetus to grow inside the mother's uterus until it reaches maturity without complications for the mother or fetus. The appropriate treatment is determined based on several factors, including the duration of pregnancy, the age of the fetus, and the degree of bleeding. In general, treatment depends on the date of delivery as follows:

**Treatment in case the date of delivery is not approaching**

If partial placental abruption occurs and the date of delivery is not approaching, the best option is to monitor the health of the mother and fetus in the hospital. If the mother's condition stabilizes and the bleeding stops, she can be allowed to return home with the need for complete rest. The doctor may recommend taking some medications that support the growth of the fetus's lungs, especially if early delivery is the most appropriate option.

**Treatment when the due date is near**

When the due date is near (after 34 weeks of pregnancy), a vaginal birth may be performed under close medical supervision. However, if a vaginal birth would be life-threatening to the mother or fetus, the doctor may decide to perform a cesarean section.

**When does placental abruption heal**

Doctors cannot reattach the placenta, and in severe placental abruption, the consequences for the mother and fetus can be severe, including the risk of death. Placental abruption occurs in about 1 in 100 pregnancies, and in half of these cases the abruption is mild and can be treated with continued monitoring. About 25% of cases are moderate, while the remaining 25% are life-threatening cases 

Life of mother and baby. Severe separation may require complete bed rest, and if hospitalized, you will be given intravenous fluids and a device will be used to monitor the fetal heart rate.

**Treatment of placental abruption in the third month**

About 1 in 100 pregnant women (1%) experience placental abruption, and it usually occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, but it can occur at any time after 20 weeks. Mild cases may cause few problems, and the abruption is simple if a small part of the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus, and is usually not serious. Treatment depends on the severity of the abruption, its location, and the length of the pregnancy. There can be partial or complete abruption, with different degrees affecting the type of treatment recommended. In the case of partial abruption, bed rest and close monitoring may be recommended if the pregnancy has not reached maturity. In some cases, blood transfusions and other emergency treatments may be needed. If the abruption is moderate to severe, your blood pressure, pulse, and urine output will be closely monitored, and your blood will be tested to check your body's ability to clot, and you may need a blood transfusion.

If the placental abruption is moderate to severe, but you and your baby are stable, your doctor may induce labour, which may allow you to deliver your baby naturally. However, if your baby’s heart rate is abnormal or you’re bleeding heavily, your doctor will need to perform an emergency caesarean section.

**Simple placental abruption**

If you have a simple placental abruption between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, you’ll need to be closely monitored in hospital. If tests show that you and your baby are doing well, your doctor may suggest treatment to try to prolong your pregnancy as long as possible. You may be asked to stay in hospital until your due date, and if the bleeding stops, you may be able to go home. If the placental abruption is simple or nearly complete, your doctor may recommend inducing labour or having a caesarean section. You may need to give birth immediately if:

- The placental abruption gets worse.
- There’s heavy bleeding.
- The baby is having problems.

Some symptoms of moderate to severe placental abruption include:

- Bleeding, most commonly when bleeding starts from the vagina.
- Persistent abdominal pain.
- Persistent lower back pain.
- Abdominal tenderness when touched.
- A painful, hard uterus.
- Frequent uterine contractions.
- Irregular heartbeat.

In some cases, bleeding may occur, but the blood may clot between the placenta and the wall of the uterus, causing little or no vaginal bleeding. This is known as a “retroplacental clot.”

Treatment for placental abruption depends on:

- How far the placenta has separated from the uterus.
- How close you are to your due date.
- Your health and whether you have other problems, such as high blood pressure or blood clotting problems.
- The amount of blood lost.
- The health of the baby.

If the placental abruption is small and the baby’s heart rate is normal, you may be able to go home and continue the pregnancy with frequent checkups. Your healthcare provider may recommend limiting activities (including abstaining from sex) and resting in bed for a few days, which may help stop the bleeding.

**How ​​long does it take for placental abruption to heal?**

Treatment of placental abruption depends on several factors, including the condition of the abruption and the age of the fetus. In most cases of partial abruption, the doctor advises the pregnant woman to rest completely with regular follow-up due to the incomplete development of the fetus. In cases of complete abruption, most doctors recommend giving birth if the health of the mother and fetus is stable. In all cases, visiting a specialist doctor when you feel any of the previous symptoms is the best solution to preserve your health and the life of the fetus, as early diagnosis and accurate treatment can save your child's life.

**Treatment of partial placental abruption**
- **Treatments in case the due date is approaching:** If the due date is approaching (after 34 weeks of pregnancy), the possibility of natural birth can be examined. However, if partial placental abruption affects the life of the mother or fetus, it is preferable to resort to the option of a cesarean section.

- **Treatments if the due date is not close:** If a partial placental abruption occurs after the due date, the mother should be admitted to the hospital to ensure that her condition and the condition of the fetus are stable. If the bleeding stops, the mother can be sent home with emphasis on rest, in addition to giving medications to help develop the fetus's lungs and brain if early delivery is necessary.