[40] Placenta Praevia Flashcards
What is placenta praevia?
Where the placenta is fully or partially attached to the lower uterine segment
Why is placenta praevia clinically important?
Because it is an important cause of antepartum haemorrhage
What are the main types of placenta praevia?
- Minor
- Major
What is minor placenta praevia?
Placenta is low, but does not cover the internal cervical os
What is major placenta praevia?
Placenta lies over the internal cervical os
What is the problem with placenta praevia?
A low lying placenta is more susceptible to haemorrhage
Why is a low lying placenta more susceptible to haemorrhage?
Possibly due to defective attachment to the uterine wall
What can cause the bleeding in placenta praevia?
- Spontaneous
- Provoked by mild trauma, e.g. vaginal examination
- Damage as presenting part of the fetus moves into the lower uterine segment in preparation for labour
What is the main risk factor for placenta praevia?
Previous C-section
What is the incidence of placenta praevia with 1 previous C-section?
1 in 160
What is the incidence if placenta praevia with 2 previous C-sections?
1 in 60
What is the incidence of placenta praevia with 4 previous C-sections?
1 in 10
What are the other risk factors for placenta praevia?
- High parity
- Maternal age >40 years
- Multiple pregnancy
- Previous placenta praevia
- History of uterine infection (endometritis)
- Curettage of endometrium after miscarriage or termination
How might placenta praevia be detected if asymptomatic?
May be incidental finding on routine anomaly ultrasound
How does placenta praevia classically present?
Painless vaginal bleeding
How severe is the vaginal bleeding in placenta praevia?
Varies from spotting to massive haemorrhage
When might there be pain in placenta praevia?
If the woman is in labour
What might examination reveal in placenta praevia?
Risk factors pertinent to placenta praevia, e.g. c-section scar or multiple pregnancy
Is the uterus tender on palpation in placenta praevia?
Not usually
What are the differentials for placenta praevia?
- Placental abruption
- Vasa praevia
- Uterine rupture
- Local genital causes
What is vasa praevia?
Where fetal blood vessels run near the internal cervical os
What is vasa praevia characterised by?
Triad of;
- Vaginal bleeding
- Rupture of membranes
- Fetal compromise
When does the bleeding occur in vasa praevia?
Following the rupture of membranes
Why does the bleeding occur following the rupture of membranes in vasa praevia?
Because there is rupture of umbilical cord vessels
What does the rupture of umbilical cord vessels in vasa praevia lead to?
A loss of fetal blood and rapid deterioration in fetal condition
What local genital causes are differentials for placenta praevia?
- Benign or malignant lesions
- Infections
What benign or malignant lesions can be differentials for placenta praevia?
- Polyps
- Carcinoma
- Cervical ectropion
What infections can be differentials for placenta praevia?
- Candida
- BV
- Chlamydia