Placenta previa

Question 1

what is placenta previa?

Answer 1

When the placenta covers the opening in the mother’s cervix.

Question 2

it is the most common cause of ___ in the later months. (7th)

Answer 2

bleeding

Question 3

what has the placenta done? why is it bad?

Answer 3

it implanted wrongly (should be up high, but in this case, it is eight implanted on the side of the uterus or half way down covering the cervix)

• when it’s time for delivery, the placenta will be trying to come out first.

Question 4

what will be done to confirm the location of the placental implantation?

Answer 4

an ultrasound

Question 5

normally, how should the placenta be implanted in the uterus?

Answer 5

up high

Question 6

with placenta previa, the placenta begins to separate when the cervix begins to___ and ___. what happens to the baby?

Answer 6

• dilate and efface (cervix gets thinner); baby doesn’t get enough oxygen

Question 7

the MAJOR S/S of placenta previa is___

Answer 7

PAINLESS BLEEDING in the 2nd half of pregnancy. maybe spotting or may be profuse.

Question 8

TX:

for complete previa?

Answer 8

complete previa usually requires hospitalization (from 32 weeks until birth) to prevent blood loss and fetal hypoxia if she goes into labor.

Question 9

TX:

for if there isn’t a lot of bleeding.

Answer 9

bed rest and monitor

Question 10

what do you do if a patient with placenta previa starts having contractions?

Answer 10

CALL THE DOCTOR!! because this delivery is NOT going to be normal…

Question 11

What is the delivery method of choice?

Answer 11

a C-section

Question 12

Why would you NOT ever want to do any pelvic exam for placenta previa?

Answer 12

YOU DO NOT WANT TO PUNCTURE IT AND YOU CAN ALSO PRECIPITATE A DELIVERY.