US Medical Term · maternity
Placental Abruption
Desprendimiento de placenta
Also: Abrupción placentaria (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Placental Abruption |
| Spanish (Español) | Desprendimiento de placenta |
| Chinese (中文) | 胎盤早剥 |
| Korean (한국어) | 태반 조기박리 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nhau bong non |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Placental abruption |
| Portuguese (Português) | Descolamento de placenta |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | รกลอกตัวก่อนกำหนด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 常位胎盤早期剥離 |
What it means
Placental abruption happens when the placenta separates from the uterus wall before delivery. This cuts off oxygen and nutrients to the baby and causes bleeding for the mother. Symptoms include sudden abdominal pain, back pain, and vaginal bleeding — though sometimes bleeding stays hidden inside the uterus. It is a medical emergency. Severity ranges from mild to complete separation. Risk factors include high blood pressure, prior abruption, trauma to the abdomen, smoking, and cocaine use. Depending on how far along you are and how severe the abruption is, your care team may recommend immediate delivery.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I'm having sudden severe belly pain and bleeding — could this be placental abruption?
Tengo un dolor abdominal repentino e intenso y sangrado — ¿podría ser un desprendimiento de placenta?
What are the warning signs of placental abruption I should never ignore?
¿Cuáles son las señales de alerta de un desprendimiento de placenta que nunca debo ignorar?
Does having had a placental abruption once increase my risk in this pregnancy?
¿Haber tenido un desprendimiento de placenta anteriormente aumenta mi riesgo en este embarazo?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
O45 Premature separation of placenta [abruptio placentae]Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026