10.2b Late Pregnancy Bleeding Flashcards
Placental Previa
- Placenta completely or partially covers the cervix or close enough to cause bleeding during dilation or effacement
- Ultrasound is used to diagnose
Complete - Total coverage of cervical os
Marginal - Edge is 2.5 cm or closer to internal cervical os
Low-Lying - Relationship between placenta and cervix is not determined or if it happens in the second trimester.
Placental Previa Risk Factors
- More c-section births
- 35-40+ years of age
- Multiparity with history of prior suction curettage
- Smoking
- Living in high altitudes
- Asians have the highest risk
- Women carrying male fetuses
- Multiple gestations
- History of Placental Previa
Clinical Manifestations of Placental Previa
- Painless bright red bleeding in 2nd - 3rd trimester
- Usually diagnosed via ultrasound before significant bleeding occurs
- Bleeding occurs from stretching/thinning of lower uterine segment disrupting placental blood flow
- V/S ARE NORMAL EVEN WITH HEAVY BLOOD LOSS (PREGNANT WOMEN CAN LOSE UP TO 40% BLOOD VOLUME BEFORE SHOWING SIGNS OF SHOCK
- DECREASED URINE OUTPUT IS A BETTER INDICATOR OF BLOOD LOSS
- FHR IS NORMAL UNLESS PLACENTA DETACHES
ABDOMINAL EXAMINATION
- Soft, Relaxed, Non-Tender Uterus with Normal Tone
- Presenting part of fetus remains high due to placenta occupying lower uterine segment
- Fundal height is greater than gestational age
- Breech or transverse lie is common
Outcomes of Placental Previa
- Major complication is hemorrhage
- Morbidly adherent placenta (abnormally firm placenta attachment) is another serious complication
- Removal of uterus may be necessary for uncontrollable bleeding (hysterectomy)
- Birth must be via c-section
- Can result in IUGR
- Increased incidence of fetal anomalies
Diagnosis of Placental Previa
- Women with painless vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks of gestation should be assumed to have placental previa.
- Transabdominal ultrasound is done to reveal placental previa
Care Management Placental Previa
- Either Expectant or Active Management depending on the severity
Complications of Placental Previa
- Inadequate tissue perfusion due to blood loss
- Dehydration due to blood loss
- Decreased placental perfusion due to hypovolemia
- Anxiety/Grieving
Expectant Management of Placental Previa
- Observation and bed rest if fetus is less than 37 weeks and there is no complications
- Hospitalized with continuous FHR and UC monitoring
- IV Access should be available
LABS
- Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platelets, “Type and Screen” blood sample, coagulation studies
LESS THAN 34 WEEKS GESTATION
- Antenatal Corticosteroids
- Tocolytic Medications if bleeding associated with uterine contractions
- With no bleeding women is on bed rest with limited activity (walk around 15-30 min 4 times a day)
- Women should avoid intercourse
- No vaginal/rectal examinations
Home Care Placental Previa
- Women need to be stable and no bleeding for 48 hours prior to discharge
- They must comply with bed rest
- Live in a short distance from hospital
- Have constant access to transportation
- Verbalize understanding of the risk for Placental Previa
Active Management Placental Previa
- If the fetus is above 36 weeks then birth is appropriate action
- If bleeding is excessive than immediate birth is given regardless of gestational age
- Blood loss may not stop with birth due to diminished muscle content in the lower uterine segment
ASSESSMENT
- Decreasing BP
- Increasing Pulse
- LOC
- Oliguria
Placental Abruption
- Detachment of placenta from uterus after 20 weeks of gestation before birth
Risk Factor for Placental Abruption
- Maternal Hypertension is the biggest one
OTHERS INCLUDE..
- Cocaine
- Blunt Trauma (motor vehicle accidents)
- Smoking
- History of Placental Abruption
- PROM
- Thrombophilic Disorders
- Twin Gestation
Symptoms of Placental Abruption
- Bleeding
- Abdominal Pain
- Uterine Tenderness
- Contractions
- Hypovolemia (shock, oliguria/anuria)
- Coagulopathy
- Mild-Severe Uterine Hypertonicity
- Pain with board like abdomen
Couvelaire Uterus
- Uterus becomes blue/purple
- Contractility is lost
- Due to blood accumulating between separated placenta and uterine wall
Lab Tests Placental Previa
- Positive APT Test (Blood in Amniotic Fluid)
- Decrease in Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
- Decrease in coagulation factors
- Clotting Defects
- Patients will be given a Kleihauer-Betke (KB) Test to see if fetal blood has entered moms blood. This is to check for isoimmunization
Outcomes of Placental Abruption
MOM
- Hemorrhage
- Hypovolemic Shock
- Hypofibrinogenemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Renal Failure and Pituitary Necrosis (due to ischemia)
- Isoimmunization
FETUS
- IUGR
- Oligohydramnios
- Preterm Birth
- Hypxemia
- Stillbirth