Complications caused by extramembranous placement of intrauterine pressure catheters.

A case report is described in which the inadvertent placement of a standard intrauterine pressure catheter in a laboring woman caused partial abruptio placentae and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Altering catheter placement technique and giving attention to aspects of placement can help avoid mishaps, and awareness of possible complications can lead to earlier diagnosis with increased appropriate intervention.