"Within seconds, significant bleeding began": She went for a routine pregnancy checkup - and discovered that she and the fetus were in danger

Michal, 40, was at 35 weeks and 2 days of her fourth pregnancy, which was defined as high-risk. She arrived for a routine checkup at the Clalit Women's Health Center, Sharon-Shomron district in Kfar Saba. At the beginning of the visit, she told the doctor that she felt pressure and mild contractions.

"It was supposed to be just another routine checkup," recalls Michal. "Even a few days earlier, I felt some pressure and had mild contractions, but I didn't think anything unusual was about to happen."

During the examination, it turned out that she was at three centimeters dilation. At first, a little blood appeared, but within seconds the picture changed and she began to suffer from significant bleeding. Dr. Sivan Perldansky, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine at the clinic and head of the high-risk pregnancy unit at Meir Medical Center of the Clalit group, understood that this was a situation requiring immediate action and hypothesized that it was a placental abruption. The clinic did not wait and immediately called an emergency mobile unit, while simultaneously establishing contact with the staff at Meir Medical Center so they could prepare for her arrival.

"Within a few seconds, significant bleeding began. Dr. Sivan immediately understood that something was wrong," describes Michal of the stressful moments.

The doctor explains that placental abruption is a condition where the placenta separates partially or fully from the uterine wall before the baby is born.

"This is a complication that can develop suddenly and endanger both the mother and the fetus, because the placenta is responsible for transferring oxygen and nutrients to the fetus," she says.

The abruption can cause bleeding, abdominal pain, or contractions, and in significant cases, damage to the oxygen supply to the fetus and blood loss for the mother. The severity of the condition depends on the extent of the abruption and the condition of the mother and fetus, and sometimes urgent medical intervention and even immediate delivery by cesarean section are required.

This was an exceptional event. When she arrived at Meir Medical Center, at first there was a lull in the bleeding, but during the examination at the hospital, it resumed. At this stage, Michal was already at four centimeters dilation — and it was decided to transfer her immediately to the operating room. During the surgery, it turned out that a partial placental abruption had occurred. Although the birth went safely, due to the early stage of pregnancy, the baby needed appropriate monitoring.

"I try to get to know every patient deeply, not to look only at the medical situation in front of me at that moment, but to see the whole package — medical, personal, and family," says Dr. Perldansky, who effectively saved Michal and the fetus.

Khulud Gundia, the administrative director of the clinic, adds that it was an exceptional event for a community clinic:

"In a moment, we went from a routine checkup to an emergency situation. The entire staff mobilized, everyone knew what they had to do, and the only goal was for Michal to reach the hospital quickly and safely. When we heard that she and the baby were okay, it was a huge relief for all of us."

Michal concluded: "If this had happened at home, I don't know how long it would have taken me to understand exactly what I was going through. Today I look at my son and know that I was in the right place, at the right time, with the right people."