Direct Causes

According to what we have found the direct causes have been hard to determine and seem to be rare but include:
Injury to the stomach area (abdomen)Sudden loss of uterine volume (can occur with rapid loss of amniotic fluid or after a first twin is delivered)

Risk Factors

We have scoured the internet and found that all of these seem to appear more than once on medical related sites:
have had an abruption previouslyhave high blood pressure (hypertension)have pre-eclampsiahave their waters break prematurelyhave too much amniotic fluidsmoking (this can lead to many a complication)use recreational drugs (namely cocaine)If you are carrying more than one childYour baby is found to be smallAre older - we've seen the age of 35 - 40+ quoted more than once on the web (the risk supposedly increases the older you get)have had at least one baby born by caesarean sectionBlood clotting disorders

Placental Abruption Symptoms / Signs

The following are signs that you may have a placental abruption. Please note however that there are sometimes no signs or symptoms. In addition the condition may happen instantly:
Vaginal bleeding may indicate a placental abruption (a small amount to a sudden gush - however bleeding may be concealed)abdominal or back painuterine tenderness, cramps, abdominal pain, or back pain frequent contractions or a continuous contractionIf your babies growth is restrictedLess fetal movement (baby could be unwell due to distress)

If you have any of these symptoms please seek medical attention immediately. It may be nothing but it could also mean the difference between life and death - don't be afraid to pester your Midwife or Labour ward if you suspect a placental abruption.