Abruptio placentae is defined as what event?

• A. Placental detachment from the uterine wall after labor begins.
• B. Separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus after 20 weeks and before birth.
• C. Placental implantation over the cervical os.
• D. Placenta remaining attached to uterus throughout pregnancy.

Answer: (B)

Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterine wall after 20 weeks of gestation and before birth. This separation disrupts the placenta’s blood flow, which can lead to vaginal bleeding, abdominal or back pain, uterine tenderness, and potential fetal distress or maternal hemorrhage. The description that specifies separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after 20 weeks and before birth matches this scenario. In contrast, detachment after labor begins is the normal placental separation during the third stage of labor; placenta previa involves implantation over the cervical os and typically causes painless bleeding; and a placenta that remains attached throughout pregnancy refers to retained placental tissue or abnormal placentation, not abruptio.