🔴 Antepartum Bleeding: A Serious Warning in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is usually a joyful journey, but sometimes unexpected events can put both the mother and the baby at risk.

One of the most important emergencies is Antepartum Bleeding (APB) – defined as any vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks of pregnancy and before delivery.

👉 Even small amounts of bleeding should never be ignored.

👩‍🍼 For Mothers – Awareness Matters

Antepartum bleeding can be frightening. The most important thing is to know when to act immediately:

⚠️ Seek urgent hospital care if you notice:

Any bleeding (spotting, trickle, or heavy).
Abdominal pain, cramps, or contractions.
Decreased or no fetal movements.
Dizziness, fainting, or weakness.

💡 Remember: In pregnancy, vaginal bleeding is never “normal” after 20 weeks. Quick action saves lives.

🩺 For Doctors – Clinical Guidelines

1️⃣ Resuscitation comes first

ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
Establish 2 wide-bore IV lines, take blood samples (Hb, coagulation, cross-match).
Start IV fluids and prepare for blood transfusion if needed.
Continuous maternal monitoring (BP, HR, urine output).

2️⃣ Assessment

History: pain? trauma? previous cesarean section? hypertension?
Fetal wellbeing: cardiotocography (CTG), ultrasound, Doppler.
NEVER perform vaginal exam if placenta previa is suspected – it may cause catastrophic bleeding.

3️⃣ Main Causes

Placenta Previa – placenta lies low, covering cervix.
- Presentation: painless, recurrent, bright red bleeding.
Placental Abruption – premature separation of placenta.
- Presentation: painful, dark bleeding, hard tender uterus, fetal distress.
Vasa Previa – fetal vessels crossing membranes over cervix.
- Presentation: sudden painless bleeding after membrane rupture, fetal bradycardia/distress.
Other causes – cervical lesions, trauma, infection.

4️⃣ Management Principles

Admit to hospital, stabilize mother first.
Decide timing & mode of delivery based on maternal condition, fetal status, gestational age, and severity of bleeding.
Cesarean delivery is often required for major placenta previa, severe abruption, or vasa previa.
Multidisciplinary approach: obstetrician, anesthetist, neonatologist, blood bank support.

🔑 Key Take-Home Message

Antepartum bleeding is a red flag.

Delay in management increases the risk of maternal hemorrhage, shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), stillbirth, or neonatal death.
Every woman should seek immediate care if she notices bleeding in late pregnancy.
Every clinician should prioritize
stabilization, diagnosis, and safe delivery planning.

✨ Together, we can reduce maternal and perinatal mortality.
👉 Raising awareness + following evidence-based guidelines = saving two lives: the mother and her baby.

🔖 Hashtags:
#AntepartumBleeding #MaternalHealth #Obstetrics #PregnancyCare #WomenHealth #DrRababCare