What is abruptio placentae

abruptio placentae (placental abruption) bleeding from a normally situated placenta causing its complete or partial detachment from the uterine wall after the 24th week of gestation. There may be varying degrees of shock; 'disseminated intravascular coag¬ulation is a further complication. Abruptio placentae is often associated with hyperten¬sion and pre-eclampsia.