Understanding placenta abruption & associated risks

David Miller, MD Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, explains the causes of and treatments for placenta abruption during pregnancy
Placenta Abruption and Associated Risks During Pregnancy
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Understanding placenta abruption & associated risks

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What is placental abruption? How is it diagnosed? And how is it treated? First of all, placental abruption is defined as prematurely separation of a normally implanted placenta, that is separation of the placenta, or the afterbirth from the wall of the uterus before delivery. The condition is usually characterized by vaginal bleeding, by uterine tenderness, frequent contractions and sometimes fetal heart rate abnormalities. Placental abruption is almost always an emergency, because separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus can lead to reduced oxygenation of the fetus, and can also lead to potentially life-threatening bleeding for the mother. The condition almost always requires delivery. The method of delivery can vary depending on the clinical situation.

David Miller, MD Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, explains the causes of and treatments for placenta abruption during pregnancy

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David Miller, MD

Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles

David A. Miller, MD, is Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  He is the Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Director of the CHLA-USC Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, a unique alliance of medical leaders from Children's Hospital Los Angeles and USC, specializing in interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of complex fetal abnormalities.  Dr. Miller graduated from USC, attended medical school at the University of Arkansas, did his internship and residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and came back to USC for fellowship training in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Perinatology).  He has been a researcher, clinician and educator at USC for more than 20 years.  Dr. Miller has published extensively in the area of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and has won numerous awards and honors including Best Doctors in America from 2001-present.

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Transcription: 
What is placental abruption? How is it diagnosed? And how is it treated? First of all, placental abruption is defined as prematurely separation of a normally implanted placenta, that is separation of the placenta, or the afterbirth from the wall of the uterus before delivery. The condition is usually characterized by vaginal bleeding, by uterine tenderness, frequent contractions and sometimes fetal heart rate abnormalities. Placental abruption is almost always an emergency, because separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus can lead to reduced oxygenation of the fetus, and can also lead to potentially life-threatening bleeding for the mother. The condition almost always requires delivery. The method of delivery can vary depending on the clinical situation.