Understanding Placenta Previa and Related Conditions

Placenta Previa

Placenta attaches near or over cervical opening.

Placental Migration

Self-resolution of placenta previa during pregnancy.

Hemorrhagic Bleeding

Life-threatening bleeding in third trimester.

Incidence of Placenta Previa

Affects approximately 0.5% of pregnancies.

Cesarean Section Risk

10% incidence after four cesarean deliveries.

Low Egg Implantation

Fertilized egg implants low in the uterus.

Uterine Fibroids

Noncancerous growths in or on the uterus.

Uterine Scarring

Damage to uterine lining affecting implantation.

Previous Placenta Previa

Recurrence rate of 4-8% in subsequent pregnancies.

Myomectomy

Surgical removal of fibroids preserving the uterus.

Cocaine Use Risk

Increases likelihood of placenta previa.

Multiple Gestations

Pregnancy involving twins or more.

Multiparity

Having multiple previous pregnancies.

Advanced Maternal Age

Increased risk for women over 35 years.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Anemia from fetal red blood cell destruction.

Rh Factor

Inherited protein on red blood cells.

Rh Positive

Blood type with Rh factor present.

Rh Negative

Blood type lacking Rh factor.

RhoGAM

Medication preventing Rh-positive blood cell attack.

Direct Coombs Test

Confirms antibody-induced hemolytic anemia diagnosis.

Sensitization

Immune response to Rh-positive blood exposure.

Yellow Amniotic Fluid

Indicates bilirubin presence from blood breakdown.

ABO Incompatibility

Blood group incompatibility causing fetal anemia.

Maternal Immune Reaction

Mother's immune system attacks fetal red blood cells.

Symptoms of Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Range from mild anemia to fetal death.

Fetal Blood Group Inheritance

Fetus inherits blood factor from father.

Uterine Structural Abnormality

Physical abnormalities affecting uterine function.

Anti-D Immunoglobulin

Injection preventing RhD sensitization.

Bilirubin

Substance causing yellow amniotic fluid.

Cigarette smoking

Causes carbon monoxide hypoxemia in pregnancy.

Hyperplacentosis

Increased placental weight and hCG levels.

Jaundice

Yellowing of skin and eyes in infants.

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)

Tumors from abnormal trophoblastic proliferation.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone produced by trophoblast cells.

Hydatidiform moles

GTD with villi present in placenta.

Trophoblastic neoplasms

GTD lacking villi in the placenta.

Velamentous cord insertion

Abnormal cord insertion with diverging vessels.

Succenturiate lobe

Accessory placental lobe smaller than main lobe.

Bipartite placenta

Placenta divided into two nearly equal lobes.

Placenta accreta

Placenta grows too deeply into uterine wall.

Placenta increta

Placenta invades muscle wall of uterus.

Placenta percreta

Placenta grows through uterus to nearby organs.

Vaginal bleeding

Common symptom in second half of pregnancy.

Bright red bleeding

Characteristic of placenta previa complications.

Low implantation

Fertilized egg implants too low in uterus.

Uterine fibroids

Abnormal growths affecting uterine lining.

Placenta previa

Placenta partially or completely covers cervix.

Type I placenta previa

Low-lying placenta not reaching internal os.

Type II placenta previa

Placenta reaches but does not cover cervix.

Type IIA placenta previa

Marginal anterior placenta near cervix.

Type IIB placenta previa

Marginal posterior placenta near cervix.

Corticosteroids in pregnancy

Given to accelerate fetal lung development.

Cesarean section recommendation

Surgical delivery for significant bleeding cases.

Fetal growth restriction

Complication due to placental issues.

Abnormal fetal position

Fetus in breech or transverse position.

Management of placenta previa

Initial assessment of mother and fetus required.

Placenta Previa

Condition where placenta covers cervical os.

Marginalis Posterior

Worse prognosis due to encroaching on true conjugate.

Marginalis Anterior

Less severe than marginalis posterior type.

Fetal Engagement

Head compresses placenta, risking fetal asphyxia.

Outpatient Treatment

Safe for placenta previa under 30 weeks gestation.

Immediate Delivery

Indicated if fetus or mother is in distress.

Incomplete Centralis

Placenta partially covers cervical os.

Complete Centralis

Placenta fully covers cervical os even when dilated.

Blood Volume Replacement

Maintains blood pressure during placenta previa.

Blood Plasma Replacement

Maintains fibrinogen levels in the mother.

Corticosteroids

Given at 24-34 weeks to reduce premature birth risk.

Major Degrees

Includes traditional grades III and IV.

Minor Degrees

Includes traditional grades I and II.

Vaginal Delivery

Possible if placenta is 2 cm from internal os.

Caesarean Section

Indicated for major degrees of placenta previa.

DIC

Disseminated intravascular coagulation, contraindicates caesarean.

Hysterectomy

May be required in severe bleeding cases.

Abruptio Placenta

Placenta separates from uterus before birth.

Oxygen Deprivation

Can occur due to placental abruption.

Risk Factors

Includes blunt trauma, drugs, multiparity, maternal age.

McAfee Regimen

Management protocol for placenta previa patients.

Strict Bed Rest

Improves placental blood flow during treatment.

Packed Cell Volume (PCV)

Monitored to prevent low blood levels.

Fetal Kick Chart (FKC)

Tracks fetal well-being during pregnancy.

Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Regular checks of fetal health during treatment.

Steroids for Lung Maturation

Administered if gestational age is under 34 weeks.

Emergency Cesarean Section

Prepared for in case of torrential bleeding.

Blunt Trauma Causes

Includes car crashes, falls, domestic violence.

Cocaine and Methamphetamine

Drugs causing vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure.

Maternal Age Risk

Age over 35 increases risk of complications.

Previous Abruption

History of placental abruption raises future risk.

Gestational Age

Duration of pregnancy measured in weeks.

Steroids

Medications given for lung maturation in preterm infants.

Dexamethasone

12 mg steroid administered intramuscularly for lung development.

Emergency Delivery

Delivery procedure initiated due to urgent medical need.

Neonatal Anesthesia

Anesthesia prepared for newborns during delivery.

Caesarean Section Facility

Surgical facility for performing C-sections.

Blood Transfusion Facility

Facility equipped for administering blood transfusions.

Intranasal Oxygen

Oxygen delivered through the nasal passages.

Intravenous Fluid

Fluids administered directly into the bloodstream.

Wide-bore Cannula

Large diameter cannula for fluid administration.

IV Giving Set

Equipment used to deliver intravenous fluids.

Ultrasound at 36 Weeks

Imaging procedure to assess fetal development.

Longitudinal Muscle

Muscle layer aiding in uterine contractions.