Causes:

• Abnormally short umbilical cord.
• Injury to the abdomen due to fall or through accident.
• Sudden loss in uterine volume.
• Risk factors:
• The following conditions are at increased risk for abruption placenta.
• Advancing maternal age.
• Smoking.
• Cocaine use.
• Diabetes.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• High blood pressure.
• Previous history of abruption placenta.
• Multiple pregnancies
• Increased uterine distension as in multiple pregnancies or abnormally large volume of amniotic fluid.

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain.
• Back pain.
• Vaginal bleeding.

Tests and diagnosis:

• Abdominal ultrasound.
• Complete blood count.
• Fibrinogen level.
• Partial thromboplastin time.
• Pelvic examaintion.
• Prothrombin time.

Treatment:

• Intravenous fluids.
• Blood transfusions.
• Emergency cesarean section.

Complications:

• Shock due to loss of blood.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
• Still births.