Just how common is placental abruption?

[handlemecarefully]

Does anybody know how common this is?

I know 2 people personally who have tragically experienced this problem - both loosing their babies (one at 28 weeks and the other at 8 months). One of the mums was also extremely ill and spent time in ICU

I thought that this sort of thing was meant to be rare????

Are there any risk factors for placenta abruption?

Here is some information for you cut and pasted.

Epidemiology
Incidence placental abruption
All placental abruptions: 1-2%
Severe placental abruption (Grade 3): 0.2%
Risk of recurrence in future pregnancy
One prior placental abruption: 5-16%
Two or more prior placental abruptions: 25%

Risk Factors
Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
High parity
Abdominal Trauma
Previous placental abruption
Twin Gestation
Polyhydramnios
Maternal Substance Abuse (Cocaine)
Maternal Tobacco abuse

Signs and symptoms
Painful vaginal bleeding
Quantitate amount of bleeding
Assess color of blood
Abdominal Pain (may be severe and constant)
Uterus hypertonic or tense (Couvelaire Uterus)
Tender to palpation
Related to concealed clot
Fetal Distress

Thanks Mears - that's helpful