Treatment for Placenta Abruption
When placenta abruption is suspected, doctors will order
for a scan to confirm the diagnosis. If the separation
is small and baby's heartbeat is good, the mother will
be advised bed rest and given medication to stop the
contractions. Steroids will be injected into the mother
to help mature baby's lungs. If the placenta continues
to separate, an amniocentesis will be performed to check
on baby's maturity, and basing on this, the doctor will
decide if baby is capable of functioning outside the
womb.
Once that is confirmed, the mother will undergo a c-section.
If the abruption were to occur around the due date,
delivery of the baby will be priority and labor will
usually be induced for vaginal delivery unless baby
is showing signs of distress. If abruption were to occur
before week 36 and fetus is showing no signs of distress,
treatment will include a close watch over the fetus
until it is mature or signals of distress show up, which
will alert the obstetrician to arrange for a cesarean.
A distressed baby before or after week 36 will alert
prompt action in the direction of emergency c-section
(generally fetus aged 23-34 weeks can survive outside
the womb under specialized care) and arrangement in
the NICU for the care of the baby.
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