Placenta Abruption
Placenta abruption is the premature detachment of the placenta
and it threatens the life of both mother and baby. If the baby has
not yet been born, the loss of function of the placenta may be too
severe for the placenta to continue to support the baby's life force
and the baby could die. The mother could also die too, from excessive haemorrhaging.
Placentas have been known to handle up
to 30 percent or so loss of function and still support the baby through to birth.
Placenta abruptions are rare - some of the causes of abruption
are due to belly trauma in pregnancy, malnourishment, unhealthy/weak placentas, invasive
intervention in labour/birth such as drugs that force the uterus
to over-exert herself by contracting too hard, pre-eclampsia, anything
that weakens or damages the placenta.
Symptoms of possible abruption;
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Uterine tenderness
- Rapid uterine contractions
What to Do?
This is a touch and go decision. Only the mother can make it since
she will know instinctively if she needs to do something to get
the baby out NOW, or transfer to hospital for assistance (which
could take time). Even birthing in hospital, and having a placental
abruption would take time for assistance - time for the doctors
to diagnose it, time for them to decide what to do, and time to
prepare/carry out the assistance.
There are times where the mother is the only one with the means
to save her own life and her baby's. Her body instinctively knows
what to do and if allowed to act freely, the mother will get the
baby out immediately if it is possible.
Further Reading
From the Centre of Unhindered Living, "The
Key to a Safe Birth: Intuition" addresses the story
of a mother with placental abruption and unassisted childbirth.
Other Resources
