Placenta Previa

Placenta previa classified in 3 ways

-Low-lying or Marginal -Partial -Complete

Tx: Placenta previa

-maintain pregnancy until the fetus is mature enough to survive outside the uterus -if worsen cesarean birth -bedrest with bathroom privileges (if no bleeding) -Complete bedrest (if bleeding)

Predisposing factors to Placenta previa

-multiparity -uterine scarring from D & C -cesarean birth -ebdometritis -maternal advancing age -smoking

Classical S/S of Placenta previa

-painless bleeding in the last half of pregnancy -occasional bright red spotting -intermittent gushes of blood -rarely is bleeding continuous -uterus relaxed -uterus not tender

Placenta previa occurs when

Implantation is in the lower uterine segment with the placenta lying over or very near the internal cervical os, the opening into the uterus

Partial Placenta previa

Placenta covers part of internal cervical os opening

Low-lying or Marginal Placenta previa

Placenta is near the internal cervical os but does not cover any part of the opening

Diagnosis of Placenta previa is determined by

Ultrasound

What is the cause of Placenta

Unknown

Placenta previa bleeding is

Unrelated to maternal activity

what drug is used to accelerate fetal lung maturity

betamethason (Celestone)

Complete or Total Placenta previa

completely covers internal cervical os opening

Cervical os

opening into the uterus