Abruptio Placentae versus Placenta Previa

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Abruptio Placentae vs. Placenta Previa

Abruptio Placentae vs. Placenta Previa

The placenta is the first connection between mother and fetus that will be instrumental in providing life and forming a connection that will last a lifetime. The placenta is the lifeblood of the fetus- the site of nutrient absorption, gas exchange and waste elimination. When that connection has complications, the results can be devastating. In this paper we will compare two very serious complications that can occur in utero- Abruptio Placentae and Placenta Previa. We will look at the pathophysiology, diagnosis, risk factors, signs and symptoms, fetal and maternal complications and prehospital and hospital treatment for both.

Placenta previa, of the two, is the least damaging to mother and fetus. In a typical pregnancy, the placenta adheres itself to the upper portion of the uterus and has no negative interaction with the cervical opening (os). With placenta previa we find abnormal implantation to the lower portion of the uterus and four degrees of previa are applicable. 1) Complete previa- the placenta completely covers the internal cervical os; 2) Partial previa- the placenta partially covers the internal cervical os; 3) Marginal previa- the edge of the placenta lies at the margin of the internal cervical os; 4) Low-lying placenta- the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment but does not reach the internal os of the cervix.

There is one main sign associated with placenta previa and that is painless bright red vaginal bleeding. The bleeding generally starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is more common in the third trimester. Bleeding can range from very light to extremely heavy and may or may not recur once stopped. Rarely, contrac...

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... Retrieved May 06, 2013, from Medscape Reference: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/252810-overview

Gale Group. (2013, May). Maternal Complications from Placenta Previa. Retrieved May 06, 2013, from Galenet: http://140.234.20.9:8080/EPSessionID=838ee1ba12d4ed675b34eeada9e17bc/EPHost=galenet.galegroup.com/EPPath/servlet/HWRC/hits?docNum=A246374229&index3=KE&index2=KE&index1=FT&tcit=0_1_0_0_0_1&locID=lac73470&rlt=6&text3=&text2=&origSearch=false&text1=maternal+

Gaufberg, S. V. (2011, May 19). Emergent Management of Abruptio Placentae. Retrieved May 06, 2013, from Medscape Reference: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/795514-overview#a1

Mount Sinai Hospital. (2013). Placenta Previa. Retrieved May 05, 2013, from Mount Sinai Hospital Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex: http://www.mountsinai.on.ca/care/placenta-clinic/complications/placentaprevia

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