However, most of the time the blood makes its way down to the cervix between the bag of water and the uterine wall and is discharged into the vagina. Pain associated with an abruption can vary from mild to severe. Contractions usually intensify the pain with an abruption. Other signs include tenderness across your belly or if your belly feels very hard. An obvious sudden increase in the size of your belly or the onset of labor may also be worrisome signs of an abruption.
Labor is nature's way of trying to correct the problem.
Obviously, if the placenta is coming away from the uterine wall it is not properly transporting blood and oxygen to the baby. Therefore, the baby will experience distress and even death. These will appear as abnormalities in the heart rate on an external fetal monitor. If you experience any or all of the signs and symptoms described, your care provider will want to see you right away. A sudden, total abruption requires immediate medical attention.