see also: [[abnormal vaginal bleeding (non-pregnancy)]], [[Ectopic pregnancy]], [[postpartum haemorrhage]], ==[[Ectopic pregnancy#Ultrasound|early pregnancy ultrasound]]==
- [RWH - bleeding in early pregnancy](x-devonthink-item://BD447CA0-14AB-4953-8C54-7C4F19505521?page=1)
- [Abortion Medical Management to 9 Weeks of Pregnancy](x-devonthink-item://C200971E-B482-4615-9E3A-D8D49FFE6E50)
> this document contains information about first trimester bleeding (aka threatened miscarriage, ectopic, etc) and [[#Bleeding after the first trimester of pregnancy]]
> [!key points]
> - [[Ectopic pregnancy]] must always be considered
> - patients with a threatened miscarriage and USS confirming live intrauterine pregnancy have an 85-90% chance of pregnancy progressing to term
> - [[Anti-D]] generally not indicated for *threatened miscarriage* < 12 weeks gestation, but consider giving if there is heavy or repeated bleeding or associated abdo pain, especially closer to 12 weeks
> - early pregnancy bleeding can have *pelvic exam* IF haemodyanmic compromise; ==late pregnancy bleeding should **never** have speculum or digital vaginal exam== until the site of the placenta is determined by ultrasound,to avoid disrupting a low-lying placenta and **precipitating torrential haemorrhage**
# definitions
- **miscarriage** - preg loss occurring before 20 weeks' gestation or foetus <400g if gestation is unknown
- **threatened miscarriage** - any vaginal bleeding other than spotting in first 20 weeks of gestation
- **inevitable miscarriage** - imminent or in the process of happening
- **complete miscarriage** - all products of conception have been expelled
- **failed pregnancy** - USS criteria (see: [[Ectopic pregnancy#Ultrasound|early pregnancy ultrasound]]
- ==crown rump length >6 to 10 mm with no cardiac activity==
- ==gestational sac ≥ 20-25mm with no foetal pole==
# causes of early pregnancy bleeding
- [[Ectopic pregnancy]]
- abortion/miscarriage
- threatened
- failed pregnancy:
- incomplete or inevitable
- complete
- septic
- trophoblastic disease (molar pregnancy)
- incidental/[[abnormal vaginal bleeding (non-pregnancy)|non-pregnancy related vaginal bleeding]]
# management flowchart when pt well
eg when not suspecting [[Ectopic pregnancy]]
![[Pasted image 20240317151620.png]]
![[Pasted image 20240618222816.png|RWH pain and bleeding early pregnancy guideline]]
---
# Bleeding after the first trimester of pregnancy
see: [[antepartum haemorrhage]], [[postpartum haemorrhage]]
- *antipartum haemorrhage* - bleeding >20 weeks gestation and before onset of labour
- [[postpartum haemorrhage]] - heavy (?500mL) vaginal bleeding within 24 hours of delivery
- **secondary postpartum haemorrhage** - bleeding >24 hours up to 6 weeks after delivery, usually due to infection or retained products of conception
## antipartum haemorrhage
**incidental causes**:
- cervical erosion or ectropion
- often post coital
- cervical polyps
- cerical malignancy
- vaginal or cervical infection
- haemorrhoids
- vulval varices
> - vaginal blood mixed with mucus is called a *show* and is due to mucus plug dislodging as the cervical begins to dilate
> - usually at the time of, ir within a few days of, labour
> - not significant unless pregnancy is preterm or associated with rupture of membranes
> - as a general guide ==when a woman needs to wear a pad to soak up blood, she should be assessed as having an antipartum haemorrhage==
### placenta previa
see: [[antepartum haemorrhage#Placenta praevia]]
- when placenta is in lower uterine segment
- ==bleeding is usually bright red and painless==
- [[placental abruption]] can complicate this
### vasa praevia
see: [[antepartum haemorrhage#Vasa praevia]]
- foetal vessels running in amniotic membranes distant from the placental mass and across cervical os
- vessels can rupture
- can lead to fetal compromise
- first indication may be **foetal bradycardia** or other abnormalities of foetal heart on [[CTG monitoring]]
# Related Questions
## first trimester bleeding
- [ ] 1Q: [First trimester bleeding](x-devonthink-item://93BDB055-D606-4878-9FA5-0BEFF977FEF7?page=11) -- [Answer](x-devonthink-item://736EC9CD-AC9C-4588-BA1E-F4AD190CBA47?page=5)
- [ ] 2Q: [First Trimester Bleeding](x-devonthink-item://0987D972-A221-4F8A-B7D7-B0DCC349A2B3?page=8) -- [Answer](x-devonthink-item://C7FCB01A-E668-44AF-8C95-C298A40F8D68?page=6)
## pv bleeding
- [ ] 3Q: [PV bleeding](x-devonthink-item://707C2E83-C5B4-4D98-99ED-FC32BF6F417F?page=5) -- [Answer](x-devonthink-item://0C9617AB-8E16-4A75-ADF0-AB06FA726B0A?page=10)
## third trimester bleeding
- [ ] 4Q: [Third trimester bleeding](x-devonthink-item://F0498813-9350-484C-AD5B-6FF7C3AE9015?page=53) -- [Answer](x-devonthink-item://A491A3F6-FD6D-492F-BCBE-7F7BAE101EDF?page=58)