obstetric haemorrhage -ILA Flashcards
What is a minor vs major vs massive antenatal haemorrhage?
Minor haemorrhage –50ml and stopped
Major haemorrhage- 50-100ml and no signs of shock
Massive haemorrhage- >100ml/ signs shock
What are causes of antepartum bleeding?
Domestric violence, placenta praevia, placenta accreta, placenta abruption, vasa praevia, incidental eg cervical carcinoma, cervical ectopy, cervical polyp, erosions, cervicitis, vaginitis
What is antepartum bleeding?
Bleeding after 24 weeks but before birth.
What is placental abruption?
premature separation of a normally placed placenta
What are risk factors for placental abruption?
pre-eclampsia, smoking, (biggest risk factors) PROM, multiple pregnancy, geriatric mother, thrombophilia, drug use, IVF, infection, previous abruption, trauma, htn, folic acid deficiency, spasm uterine vessels, anaemia
What is the presentation of placental abruption?
abdo pain- severe and constant, woody feeling, uterine contraction, shock, fetal distress, uterine tender, blood if apparent
Why does placental abruption present the way it does?
due to uterine blood- the more concealed the blood the worse the painas trapped between the uterus and the placenta
(conceleaed vs apparent)
What are some differentials for placental abruption?
excessive show of a normal labour, fibroid, peritonism eg peptic ulcer or appendicitis, acute polyhydramnios
What are the investigations for placental abruption?
low platelets, tense and tender uterus, U/S (unreliable), HR abnormal on CTG for fetus – is a clinical diagnosis mainly.
What is placenta praevia?
insertion of the placenta in the lower segment of the uterus
What are the investigations for placenta praevia?
doppler U/S, transvaginal US, speculum exam (this can be picked up on U/S)
What is the presentation for placenta praevia?
SNT abdomen, patients condition reflects blood loss, the formation of the lower segment by stretching leads to separation of the placenta and blood escape from maternal sinuses. Blood loss is recurrent. No pain as not retained in uterine cavity.
What are the differences between placenta praevia and abruption?
- placenta praevia features blood loss in proportion with shock patient is in whereas this may not be the case in abruption due to blood concealment
- placental praevia typically does not feature pain but abrutpion has constant pain
- In placenta abruption the uterus is tender and tense
- In placenta praevia the fetus may not have normal lie and presentation
- The fetal heart is less likely to be distressed in praevia
What are the risk factors for placenta praevia?
c-section, sharp curette TOP (causes deficiency in endometrium), multiparity, multiple pregnancy, older mother, IVF, fibroids, endometriosis (deficiency in endometrium), previous placenta praevia
What is the management for placenta praevia?
If is major ie completely covers cervical os then do c-section. If minor and does not cover os and is 2cm away or more then aim for normal delivery.