Placenta praevia is a condition where the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment, either partially or completely covering the internal cervical os. There are four types depending on the degree of coverage of the cervical os. Risk factors include multiparity, increased maternal age, smoking, and history of uterine scarring. Symptoms include painless vaginal bleeding unrelated to activity. Management depends on gestational age and stability of the mother and fetus, ranging from bed rest to cesarean delivery. Nursing care focuses on monitoring for signs of decreased cardiac output or tissue perfusion due to blood loss, and providing education and support to address the mother's fears.

1. PLACENTA PRAEVIA
Presented by:
Prabhjot Kaur
M.Sc.(N) 1st
Year
CON, Adesh University

2. DEFINITION
• The placenta is implanted partially or
completely over the lower uterine segment
(over or adjacent to the internal os ) it is called
Placenta Praevia.
D.C.Dutta

3. DEFINITION
• In Placenta Praevia the placenta is implanted
in the lower uterine segment such that is
completely or partially cover the cervix or is
close enough to the cervix to cause bleeding
when the cervix dilated or the lower uterine
segment effaces.
(Hull and Resnik, 2009)

5. INCIDENCE
• In 80% cases it is found in multiparous
women.
• The incidence is increased beyond the age of
35, with high birth order pregnancies and in
multiple pregnancy.
• The incidences approximately 4-5 per
thousand pregnancies.

6. RISK FACTORS
• Multiparity
• Increased maternal age
• Higher altitude
• History of previous scar in the uterus.
• Smoking

7. TYPES
There are four types of placenta praevia
depending upon the degree of extension of
placenta to the lower segment.
• Type 1 (Low lying)
• Type 2 (Marginal)
• Type 3 ( Incomplete or partial central )
• Type 4 ( Central or total)

9. CONTD..
Type 1 (Low lying) :
The major part of placenta is attached to
the upper segment and only the lower
margin encroaches onto the lower
segment but not to the os.

10. CONTD…
Type 2 (Marginal) :
The placenta reaches
the margin of internal
os but does not cover
it.

11. CONTD…
Type 3 ( Incomplete or partial central ) :
The placenta covers the internal os partially
( cover the internal os when closed but does
not entirely do so when fully dilated)

12. CONTD…
Type 4 ( Central or total) :
The placenta completely covers the internal
os even after it is fully dilated.

14. CLINICAL FEATURES
Symptoms
Vaginal bleeding:
• sudden in onset, painless
• revealed bleeding (fresh blood)
• Bright red or dark colored
• Unrelated to activity

15. CONTD…
Signs:
• General condition and anaemia are
proportionate to the visible blood loss
Abdominal examination: the size of the uterus
• Uterus feels relaxed and soft.
• The head is floating in contrast to the period of
gestation.
• Fetal heart sound is usually present.

16. CONTD…
• Vaginal inspection:
Placenta is felt on the lower segment.

17. COMPLICATIONS
Complications of Placenta Praevia:
1.Maternal complications:
• During Pregnancy
• During labour
• Puerperium
2. Fetal complications

18. MATERNAL COMPLICATIONS
During pregnancy:
• Antepartum haemorrhage
• Malpresentation
• Premature labour

19. CONTD…
During labour:
• Early rupture of membranes
• Cord prolapse
• Slow dilatation of the cervix
• Intrapartum haemorrhage

20. CONTD…
Puerperium:
• Postpartum haemorrhage
• Retained placenta
• Subinvolution

21. Fetal complication
• Low birth weight
• Asphyxia
• Intrauterine death

22. DIAGNOSIS
Placentography :
Sonography
Color Doppler flow study
Magnetic resonance
Vaginal examination

23. MANAGEMENT
• Prevention
• Immediate management
• Expectant management
• Active management
• Nursing Management

24. PREVENTION
To minimize the risks , the following guidelines are
useful.
• Adequate antenatal care
• Significance of warning haemorrhage
At Home –
• Put the patient on bed .
• Abdominal examination
• Vaginal examination must not be done.
Transfer To Hospital
• Admission To Hospital

25. IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
• To ensure an adequate blood supply to a
women and fetus place the women
immediately on bed rest in a side lying
position.
• A large bore IV cannula is cited and
infusion of normal saline
• Gentle abdominal palpation

26. Scheme Of Management
All APH patients are to be admitted
General and abdominal examination
Clinical assessment of blood loss
Resuscitation if necessary
Localisation of placenta
• Expectant management Active interference

27. Expectant management
The expectant treatment is carried upto 37 weeks.
Aim: The aim is to continue pregnancy for fetal
maturity without compromising the maternal
health.
Indications:
• No active bleeding
• Patient stable haemo-dynamically
• FHS- good
• CTG- reactive fetus

28. CONTD…
Interventions:
• Bed rest
• Periodic inspection of vulvul pads
• Supplementary haematinics if patient is
anaemic
• Use of tocolytics.
• Rh immunoglobulins to all Rh negative
women.

29. Active management
Indications:
• Bleeding occurs at or after 37 weeks of
pregnancy
• Patient is in labour
• FHS- absent
• Gross fetal malformation
• Dead fetus

30. CONTD…
Active management
Vaginal delivery Caesarean delivery
Placental edge is within 2 cm from the
internal os: in this case no internal
examination is performed and caesarean
section is considered as the best choice.

31. CONTD…
Placental edge is 2-3 cm away from the internal cervical os:
Internal examination in OT
ARM with or without oxytocin
Satisfactory progress of labour bleeding continues
& no labour initiation
vaginal delivery caesarean delivery

32. NURSING MANAGEMENT
Nursing Diagnosis
Decreased cardiac output related to blood loss
as manifested by increase in heart rate.
Interventions:
• Monitor Vital Signs
• Provide adequate rest &
• reposition client
• Encourage relaxation techniques
• Elevate Hb of the client
•

33. Ineffective tissue perfusion related to
decrease in Hb in blood as manifested
by dyspnea.
Interventions:
• Monitor Vital Signs.
• Encourage quiet & restful environment.
• Encourage use of relaxation techniques.
• Provide supplemental oxygen to the client
as prescribed by the physician.

34. Deficient fluid volume related to Blood
Loss as manifested by vital signs
changes.
Interventions:
• Monitor Vital Signs
• Monitor FHR.
• Initiate IV fluids as ordered by the
physician.
• Place the patient in left lateral position.

35. Fear related to outcome of pregnancy as
manifested by facial expressions of the
mother.
Nursing Interventions
• Assess fetal heart sounds.
• Allow the mother to share her feelings.
• Answer the mother’s questions honestly.
• Include the mother in the planning of the
care plan for both the mother and the baby.

36. Bibliography
• Perry, Hockenberry, Lowdermilk et al. Maternal Child
Nursing Care. Elsevier. 5th
edition; 326-329
• Cunningham, Leveno, Bloom et al. Williams Obstetrics. Mc
graw Hill Education. 24th
edition; 801-807
• D.C.Dutta’s . Textbook of Obstetrics. New central Book
Agency(P) Ltd. 7th
edition; 241-250
• Renu mishra.IAN DONALD’S Practical Obstetric
problems. Wolters kluwer. 7th
edition ; 315-320
• Adele pillitteri. Maternal and child health nursing. Walters
kluwer. 7th
edition;562-565.

37. THANK YOU