Obstetrics Book

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Late Pregnancy BleedingAka: Second Trimester Bleeding, Third Trimester Bleeding, Vaginal Bleeding Late in Pregnancy

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  1. See Also
    1. Uterine Bleeding in Pregnancy
    2. First Trimester Bleeding
  2. Epidemiology
    1. Late pregnancy bleeding complicates 4% of pregnancies
  3. Causes
    1. Major causes of bleeding
      1. Placenta Previa (20%)
      2. Placental Abruption (30%)
      3. Ruptured Vasa Previa
      4. Uterine Scar Disruption
    2. Other causes
      1. Cervicitis or other genital tract infection
      2. Bloody show (may indicated Preterm Labor)
      3. Cervical polyp
      4. Cervical Cancer
      5. Cervical Ectropion
      6. Vaginal trauma
  4. History
    1. Bleeding characteristics
      1. Amount of blood (pads per day)
      2. Color of blood (dark or bright red)
    2. Associated factors
      1. Pelvic Pain, Abdominal Pain or back pain
      2. Contractions
      3. Foul Vaginal Discharge
      4. Rupture of Membranes
    3. Inciting factors
      1. Recent examination
      2. Abdominal or pelvic Trauma
      3. Intercourse
    4. Fetal movement
    5. Previous ultrasounds
  5. Exam
    1. Orthostatic Blood Pressure and pulse
      1. Vital signs often normal despite significant bleeding
    2. Abdominal Exam
      1. Pain on palpation
      2. Palpable contractions
      3. Hypertonic uterus
    3. Pregnancy Monitoring
      1. External Fetal monitor for Fetal Heart Tones
      2. Tocometry for contraction monitoring
    4. Pelvic examination (if no Placenta Previa)
      1. Bimanual exam if placental location known
  6. Labs: Evaluation
    1. Vaginal Discharge for Nitrazine and Ferning
    2. Gonorrhea Culture
    3. Chlamydia culture
    4. Saline preparation (wet prep)
    5. Bloody fluid for Apt Test
  7. Labs: Emergent (if indicated under management below)
    1. Hemoglobin
    2. Type and cross 2 to 6 units packed Red Blood Cells
    3. Type and cross for platelet transfusion
    4. Coagulation studies
      1. ProTime (PT)
      2. Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
      3. Fibrin split products (Fibrin Degradation Products)
      4. Fibrinogen
  8. Radiology: Transvaginal Ultrasound
    1. Placental location
    2. Placental Abruption (inconsistently identifiable)
  9. Management: General
    1. Evaluate for Vasa Previa if amniotic fluid present
      1. Modified Apt Test
    2. Maternal blood Rh Negative and large antepartum bleed
      1. Screen with sheep rosette test
      2. If sheep rosette test, then Kleihauer-Betke Test
        1. RhoGAM dose based on Kleihauer-Betke Test
  10. Management: Emergency
    1. Indications
      1. Brisk Vaginal Bleeding
      2. Unstable vital signs
      3. Fetal Distress
    2. Immediate interventions
      1. Oxygen
      2. Trendelenburg position
      3. Obtain immediate Intravenous Access
        1. Two large bore IV (16-18 gauge)
        2. Initiate Isotonic crystalloid bolus
          1. Normal saline
          2. Lactated Ringers
      4. Type, cross and transfuse pRBC as needed
      5. Call for immediate Obstetric and neonatal support

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