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Placental Abruption: The Doctor's Answer to Why

First, it is not right that I had to wait until my 6 week appointment after giving birth and losing my daughter to get a medical opinion of what happened. I really felt like every day I was losing my mind. And the guilt! I think I went over every thing and every detail of pregnancy over and over again in my head every day hours at a time trying to find what I could have done differently to save my daughter.

But after all the madness, at my 6 week appointment, my doctor reveals that autopsy said that I suffered a placental abruption. The report went on to further say that there are usually factors of the mom associated with why a placentla abruption happens. However, I did not have any of those conditions so they labeled the cause as an act of nature as to why my placenta decided to detach from my uterus and cause premature labor.

I felt really betrayed by my very own body. I just remember I kept asking my doctor afterwards if she was sure there was nothing I did that caused it and how can I prevent it from ever happening again. My doctor looked so defeated when the only guidance she could give me was there was nothing I could have done and nothing I can do different.

Below I provided some links I found helpful about placental abruptions:


Baby Center - Placental Abruption

March of Dimes - Placental Abruption

American Pregnancy - Placental Abruption

You Tube- What is Placenta Abruption

7 comments:

  1. I am sorry for your loss. I too suffered a plancenta abruption. They said it was a freak accident, didn't know why. I was 38 weeks. My son Dylan was still born 10 yrs ago. I made him a website, and that has helped. Your loss is still fresh, but I want you to know that there is Hope. Unfortunately, the pain never goes away. But it's gotten better with time, although some days are like it was yesterday.:-( Dylan was my 4th child and I did have 2 more babies after that. So There is Hope after a tragedy. And knowing that Dylan is in Heaven gives me some comfort; I will see him again someday.

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    1. Many hugs to you for losing your son. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Here from FLFH. I too suffered a placental abruption and my son was stillborn at almost 37 weeks. The "what ifs" will drive you crazy. What if we had gone in sooner, what if we had felt that last kick or what if we had a doctor's appointment that day. Eventually they will fade and we just have to sit in the fact that no matter what, we don't control life. I too have a rainbow baby and she brings us so much joy.

    Still always wishing I had my son.

    Hannah

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    1. The what ifs are the and another hug worst. Many hugs to you for the loss. Glad to hear that you have joy with your daughter. I know you still miss your son though. I try to keep hope that we will blessed with more children. It's just sad that my initiation into motherhood had to start with my body failing on the pregnancy with the placental abruption.

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  3. Dear Shan-Nel,

    I am terribly sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby girl. My only child, a baby boy, also died as a result of a placental abruption, 2 days before his due date, last November. The doctors were able to resucitate him after the emergency c-section but he had suffered severe brain injuries and died 8 days later. Like you, I had no risk factors, no explanation for why the placenta separated... It is so hard to come to grips with what happened.

    I have found this website to contain the most detailed information on placental abruptions, including referenced to medical papers, etc. It doesn't say anything different from what you already know but fyi.

    http://www.glowm.com/?p=glowm.cml/section_view&articleid=122

    I hope you can find peace and hope in your life.

    PS: Comments from women who suffered placental abruptions and went on to have healthy subsequent pregnancies give me hope. Thank you ladies!

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    1. Thank you for sharing the link. Big hugs to you about the loss of your son. I feel that placental abruptions are so cruel because you are left with a feeling of if my body would have just did what it needed to do my baby would be here. Then you get NO answers. All the doctors can do is hunch their shoulders and say better luck next time. But I do hope that one day doctors can find a way to detect it better so future mothers will not have to experience what we did.

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