Which obstetric emergency is characterized by rupture of the uterus, presenting with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding?

• A. Uterine rupture
• B. Eclampsia
• C. Spontaneous abortion
• D. Supine hypotensive syndrome

Answer: (A)

Uterine rupture is a full‑thickness tear through the uterine wall, often occurring during labor in a uterus with prior scarring or heavy labor. It presents with sudden, severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, and the fetus may show distress or loss of heart tones while the mother can develop signs of heavy bleeding and shock. This abrupt combination of a uterine tear, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding is the hallmark of the emergency. By contrast, eclampsia causes seizures from preeclampsia, not a rupture; spontaneous abortion is pregnancy loss early on with cramps and bleeding but without a rupture during viable labor; and supine hypotensive syndrome is maternal hypotension from vena cava compression when lying on the back, not vaginal bleeding due to a uterine rupture. Immediate resuscitation and rapid surgical management are critical.