Abruptio Placentae Recurrence Risk: Understanding Your Chances After Premature Birth

Question
hi i just had a premature baby at 27 weeks do to placenta arouption and we wanted a another baby in a couple of years what are the chance that the next one could be the same way

Answer
Dear Beth,

From the literature I have researched, the risk of recurrence of abruptio placentae is reportedly 4-12%. Now, this can vary based on the cause(s) determined for the abruption. Was a potential cause determined?

Higher risk for this condition occur with the following:
-Smoking
-Cocaine use during pregnancy
-Maternal age of 35 or more
-Preeclampsia or hypertension
-Pregnant with twins or triplets  
-Trauma to the abdomen
-Abnormalities in the uterus
-Chorioamnionitis
-Prolonged rupture of membranes (24 hours or longer)

Some of these risk factors can be altered, so if a changeable one is determined as the cause, your risk of a recurrence should decrease considerably.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you, and your baby, well.

Brenda