Clinical features and course of pregnancy in placenta praevia

Abstract

Background: India being a developing country, with majority of its population in rural areas, lack in basic medical care and transportation. With a high rate of illiteracy, early marriages and high prevalence of anaemia, it is important to counsel, diagnose, refer and manage a case of placenta praevia at a higher centre

Methods: All patients who came with history of painless bleeding per vagina after 28 weeks of gestation were hospitalized. A thorough history of vaginal bleeding (warning haemorrhage) was taken. Cases with confirmed diagnosis of placenta praevia on ultrasonography were included in the study.

Results: Out of 84 cases, 70 cases (83.33%) underwent C/S of which 69 (82.14%) cases were emergency C/S and 1 (1.19%) case underwent elective C/S. 2 (2.38%) cases underwent emergency laparotomy for rupture uterus along with placenta praevia. 12 (14.29%) cases delivered vaginally, of which 9 (10.72%) delivered spontaneously and 3 (3.57%) cases were accelerated.

Conclusions: In our study, majority of cases (76.19percent) occurred in the age group of 21-30years, which is lower than the mean maternal age reported in other studies. It is possible that an earlier age of marriage and conception in our community have influenced this finding.