(placental abruption) bleeding from a normally situated placenta causing its complete or partial detachment from the uterine wall after the 24th week of gestation. Abruption is often an unanticipated emergency, as a small bleed (*antepartum haemorrhage) can suddenly evolve into a major abruption and *disseminated intravascular coagulation. Abruptio placentae is often associated with hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
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