Summary ANTEPARTUM HAEMORRHAGE-ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IRELAND

OG 2.2
Anatomy of the Female Pelvis


OG 3.7 Fetal Medicine
Class Senior Cycle 1
Course Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Code SC1 Obs
Title Antepartum Haemorrhage
Date May 2020
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Department of Anatomy
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

, Learning Objectives
1. To understand and be able to compare the symptoms,
clinical signs and diagnostic methods to differentiate
patients with placenta praevia, placental abruption
and other causes of 3rd trimester bleeding

2. To describe the complications of placenta praevia and
placental abruption

3. To be familiar with the steps required in the immediate
/ emergency management of severe obstetric
haemorrhage

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
RCSI

, Skill objectives
• To obtain a history from at least one case of placenta
praevia, placental abruption or antepartum
haemorrhage of unknown aetiology

• To perform an abdominal examination in at least one
case of antepartum haemorrhage

• To observe a sterile speculum examination in at least
one case of antepartum haemorrhage

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
RCSI

, Classification
1. Threatened Miscarriage - Vaginal bleeding associated with
a viable intrauterine pregnancy up to 24 weeks gestation
2. Antepartum Haemorrhage - Vaginal bleeding from 24
weeks until the onset of labour
In some countries the cut-off to differentiate the above mentioned conditions is
20 weeks, as patients will tend to be managed in the delivery suite rather than
gynaecology ward.

3. Intrapartum Haemorrhage - Vaginal bleeding from the
onset of labour until the end of the 2nd stage of labour
4. Postpartum Haemorrhage – Vaginal bleeding from the third
stage of labour until the end of the puerperium (6 weeks
postpartum)


Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
RCSI