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Potential Complications
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Antepartum Bleeding
Bleeding in pregnancy can be caused by many things - from something as minor as cervical erosion or a polyp, to a serious condition that could threaten mother and baby. Risk factors include previous Caesarean section, multiple pregnancy, smoking and age.
Bleeding in pregnancy can be caused by many factors - from something as minor as cervical erosion or a polyp, to a serious condition that could result in the death of mother and baby.
Placenta praevia
This is one of the two main reasons for severe ante partum (before birth) haemorrhage and is bleeding caused by the separation of an abnormally situated placenta.
In this situation the placenta lies partly or wholly in the lower part of the uterus partly or completely covering the cervical os. This, inevitably, leads to haemorrhage when labour begins and can occur from weeks 24 to 28 but sometimes earlier.
Your doctor may notice a high or abnormal presenting part in the pelvis and will then give you an ultrasound to diagnose placenta praevia.
Risk factors for placenta praevia are:
age
multiple pregnancy
scarred uterus from previous Caesarean section
having already had other children.
Once diagnosed you will be advised to remain in hospital for the duration of your pregnancy. In placenta praevia, the bleeding is normally painless in contrast to an abruption, which is painful and can occur at any stage of pregnancy.
Placental abruption
The other main cause of severe antenatal bleeding, this is bleeding that results from the separation of a normally situated placenta, with normal presentation and engagement of the baby's head.
This is often associated with pre-eclampsia and can occur at any stage of the pregnancy or labour. The bleeding can be severe or mild, it may settle and may even be concealed with the only evidence will be signs of shock in the mother.
If the mother is Rhesus negative, she will be offered the Anti D injection as a precaution.
