✨
BLACK FRIDAY SALE ✨ SAVE UP TO 45% OFF NOW
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Pathology
/
Labor & Delivery Disorders
/
Abruptio Placentae

Master Abruptio Placentae with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Abruptio Placentae

Abruptio Placentae

Erupting Placenta-present
Picmonic
Abruptio placentae is an obstetric complication in which the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall after the 20th week of gestation and before the fetus is delivered. The three grades of abruption include: mid grade (less than 15% placenta separates with concealed hemorrhage), moderate grade 2 (up to 50% placenta separates with apparent hemorrhage), and severe grade 3 (greater than 50% placenta separates with concealed hemorrhage).
11 KEY FACTS
MECHANISM
Premature Separation of Placenta
Placenta-present Separation

The placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall after the 20th week of gestation.

ASSESSMENT
Tearing Pain
Tearing Pain-bolt

A severe sudden onset of abdominal pain occurs.

Bleeding (Often Concealed)
Blood

Dark red vaginal bleeding may be present; however, if separation is in the center of the placenta, then blood may be trapped between the placenta and decidua, concealing the hemorrhage. A concealed hemorrhage occurs in about 10% of patients with resulting uterine tenderness and pain.

Rigid Uterus
Stone Uterus

A rigid uterus, or board-like abdomen may be noted upon assessment. Other patients may present with uterine tenderness accompanied with pain.

Contractions
Contracting-muscle

Frequent uterine contractions or ones with no relaxation in between may occur. Hypertonic uterine activity will lead to poor blood and oxygen exchange for the fetus.

INTERVENTIONS
Corticosteroids as Needed
Quarter-on-steroids

When the fetus is preterm and the patient is stable with no immediate need for delivery, it's advisable to administer corticosteroids to promote lung development. This can enhance fetal lung maturity and improve neonatal outcomes.

Emergent Delivery
Emergency-lights Stork Delivering-baby

In hemodynamically unstable patients, an immediate cesarean delivery is recommended. If the delivery is rapidly approaching, and conditions are favorable, vaginal birth can also be an option.

CONSIDERATIONS
Increased Risks for Neonate
Up-arrow Risk with Neon-natal Baby

Increased risks for the neonate include preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, hypoxia, anoxia, neurological injury, and fetal death related to hemorrhage.

Rh (Rhesus) Incompatibilities
Recess-playground Incompatibles

Due to possible mixing of maternal and fetal blood, sensitization can occur if the fetus is Rh positive. The mother may be given Rhogam if she is Rh negative.

Increased Risk for Shock
Up-arrow Risk Shocking

Excessive bleeding places the mother at risk for hypovolemic shock. It is important to note that during pregnancy, signs of shock may not be present until 25-30% of maternal blood loss has occurred. Be sure to closely monitor vital signs, maintain IV access with a large bore IV, and provide fluids, blood products, and oxygen as prescribed.

Monitor Fetal Heart Rate
Fetus Heart-Monitor

Monitor fetal heart rate as signs of possible decline include prolonged fetal bradycardia, repetitive late decelerations, or decreased short-term variability.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Cesarean Section - Indications
picmonic thumbnail
Mechanism of Labor
picmonic thumbnail
Induction of Labor
picmonic thumbnail
True vs. False Labor
picmonic thumbnail
Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

Take the Abruptio Placentae Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,980,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.