Placental abruption and placenta previa are two placental diseases. A placental disease is any disease that affects the placenta, which is a structure that provides oxygen and nutrition to the baby and eliminates waste products during pregnancy. Other placental diseases include placenta accreta, placenta increta, or placenta percreta.
The key difference between placental abruption and placenta previa is their cause. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches prematurely, while placenta previa occurs when the placenta covers some or all of the cervix.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Placental Abruption
3. What is Placenta Previa
4. Similarities – Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa
5. Placental Abruption vs Placenta Previa in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa
7. FAQ – Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa
What is Placental Abruption?
Placental abruption is a condition occurring when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus (either partly or completely) before delivery. It is a pregnancy complication that is uncommon yet very serious. Placental abruption blocks the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby and causes heavy bleeding in the mother. The signs and symptoms of placental abruption are vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, back pain, uterine tenderness or rigidity, and uterine contractions. The exact cause of this condition is not known, but abdominal trauma, such as from a fall or accident, can increase the risk of placental abruption.
Placental abruption can be diagnosed through a physical exam to check for uterine tenderness or rigidity, blood tests, and ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for placental abruption may include giving corticosteroids that help the fetus’s lungs mature and immediate delivery through C-section.
What is Placenta Previa?
Placenta previa is the low implantation of the placenta. Placenta previa cause right red vaginal bleeding, usually without pain, after 20 weeks of pregnancy and during delivery. The exact cause is unknown.
Placenta previa can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation and ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for placenta previa are avoiding activities that might cause contractions, such as using tampons, having sex, douching, or engaging in activities that can increase the risk of bleeding, like running, squatting, and jumping, blood transfusion to replace lost blood, and C-section to deliver the baby immediately.
Similarities Between Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa
- Placental abruption and placenta previa are two placental diseases.
- The exact causes of both are not known.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging testing.
- They can be treated through C-section delivery.
Difference Between Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa
Definition
- Placental abruption is the placenta detaching prematurely.
- Placenta previa is the low implantation of the placenta.
Occurrence
- Placental abruption occurs in approximately 10% of pregnancies.
- Placenta previa occurs in 5 in 1000 pregnancies.
Symptoms
- Placental abruption causes vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, back pain, uterine tenderness, and uterine contractions.
- Placenta previa causes vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.
Pain while Vaginal Bleeding
- Placental abruption causes sharp stabbing pain.
- Placenta previa is painless.
Diagnosis
- Placental abruption can be diagnosed by physical examination, blood test, and ultrasound.
- Placenta previa can be diagnosed by physical examinations and ultrasound tests.
Treatment
- Placental abruption can be treated with corticosteroids help lung development in babies and immediate delivery of a baby through C-section.
- Placenta previa can be treated with blood transfusion and immediate delivery of baby through C-section.
The following table summarizes what is the difference between placental abruption and placenta previa.
Summary – Placental Abruption vs Placenta Previa
Placental disease is any disease that affects the placenta. Placental abruption and placenta previa are two placental diseases. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates early from the uterus, while placenta previa occurs when the placenta attaches low in the uterus. This is the summary of the difference between placental abruption and placenta previa.
FAQ: Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa
1. Who is most at risk for placental abruption?
- The exact cause of placental abruption is unknown. However, the risk factors that increase the risk of placental abruption include maternal age over 35 years, smoking, cocaine use during pregnancy, hypertension, and placental abruption in a previous pregnancy.
2. What medication is used for placenta abruption?
- The two most commonly used medications for placenta abruption are betamethasone and dexamethasone. Betamethasone and dexamethasone are the fluorinated corticosteroid congeners that have been used for women at imminent risk of preterm delivery and to decrease neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and mortality.
3. Can a baby survive a placental abruption?
- A few babies do not survive placental abruption and may be stillborn. However, most babies can be delivered prematurely through C-section safely. But this may also affect the baby’s growth.
4. What happens to the baby during placenta previa?
- Placenta previa does not commonly cause birth defects. However, in this condition, the bay may be delivered immediately through a C-section. Premature birth carries some complications, such as low birth weight and respiratory problems.
5. What is the best treatment for placenta previa?
- Placenta previa is due to the placenta attaching low in the uterus. There are no treatments for placenta previa. If placenta previa persists until the time of delivery, the doctor may recommend C-section surgery to deliver the baby immediately and may do a blood transfusion, too.
Reference:
1. “Placental Abruption.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Placenta Previa.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Blausen 0737 Placental Abruption” “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2906 Placenta Previa-02” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site, Jun 19, 2013 (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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