Uterine contraction patterns in patients with severe abruptio placentae
Odendaal, H.J.
South African Medical Journal 57(22): 908-910
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 7404047 Document Number: 161478
Uterine contractions were monitored in 54 patients in whom severe abruptio placentae had caused intra-uterine death of the fetus. The frequency at the beginning of monitoring ranged from 2 to 14 contractions in 10 minutes, with a mean of 8,4. Only 4 patients had 4 or fewer contractions in the first 10 minutes of monitoring. No change in contraction frequency was observed during the course of labour. A high frequency of contractions before or during labour is highly suggestive of severe abruptio placentae.