1. Treat a Mild Placental Abruption With Bed Rest
Placental abruption (abruptio placentae) is a possibly severe complication of pregnancy in which the placenta detaches from the uterine wall prior to delivery. If a doctor has diagnosed a mild placenta abruption, in which vaginal bleeding is minimal and/or the placenta has not completely separated from the uterine wall, he may prescribe bed rest for the mother. Usually, the mother will have bed rest at the hospital where she can receive monitoring of her and her baby's conditions. She may also receive drugs called corticosteroids, which help mature her baby's lungs in case of a premature delivery. If the mother's bleeding due to the placental abruption stops and the baby and the mother both appear stable, a doctor may allow the mother to continue bed rest at home. However, he will continue to monitor her condition with frequent visits. The goal is to allow the baby to remain in the mother's uterus until the doctor can deliver the baby at or near full term.
2. Deliver a Full Term Baby
If a doctor has diagnosed an abruption of the placenta in a pregnant woman who is at or near full term (37 weeks of pregnancy), the usual treatment is delivery. It will not matter if the woman has a diagnosis of partial placental abruption or complete placental abruption at this point. If the woman has a mild placenta abruption, and she and the baby both appear stable, a doctor will induce the woman's labor to allow for a vaginal delivery. However, if the woman has uncontrolled bleeding or a severe placental abruption, a doctor will perform a Cesarean section (C-section) to deliver the baby. In cases where the baby or the mother is in distress, a doctor will perform a C-section.
3. Immediate Delivery in Cases of Severe Placental Abruption
If a woman has a severe placental abruption, such as a complete placental abruption, the preferred treatment is delivery of the baby and the placenta. In some cases, this means that the baby will be born prematurely. Doctors will give the mother corticosteroids to mature the baby's lungs and prevent complications after birth. The mother might also receive a blood transfusion if she experiences much blood loss due to vaginal bleeding. In these cases, the doctor will deliver the baby with a Cesarean section.
