[Spontaneous rupture of the uterine artery in connection with pregnancy]

OBJECTIVE: To present two cases of spontaneous uterine artery rupture in connection with pregnancy, accompanied by life endangering bleeding. In the first case we talk about a thirty-three years old primigravida nullipara in the 20th week of pregnancy. In the second case there is a woman, who gave spontaneous birth in the 36th week of pregnancy. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pardubice Hospital. METHODS: Own observation. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous rupture of the uterine artery in connection with pregnancy is a rare complication that can be fatal for mother and fetus. Clinical symptoms are often nonspecific, diagnostics is difficult, and diagnosis is often made during the surgery. It is necessary to include this rare complication in the differential diagnosis in pregnant women with abdominal pain and haemoperitoneum of unknown etiology and in postpartal women with an unknown source of bleeding.