Advice for patients about placenta previa
Issue 14: 11 Jul 2005
Source: RCOG draft guidance patient guidance for comment (www.rcog.org.uk)
The UKs Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is
inviting comment on new draft information for patients about placenta
previa.
The draft report, Placenta praevia: information for you, is available on the
RCOGs website and is based on the colleges guidance for healthcare
professionals (see the article Updated placenta previa advice, from the
ORGYN Online Magazine issue dated 10 January 2005).
The advice for patients is divided into 10 brief sections, answering
questions that include What could placenta praevia mean for my baby and
me?, What extra antenatal care can I expect if I have placenta praevia?,
and What will happen at the birth?.
Some of the key points of the draft patient guidance are as follows:
Placenta praevia can be very serious, as there is a risk of serious
bleeding, and may threaten the health and life of the mother and baby.
Maternal deaths from placenta praevia are fortunately very rare in the UK.
About three women die each year as a result of placenta praevia.
If you have a major degree of placenta praevia you will need a caesarean
section. A hysterectomy is sometimes necessary to save a womans life, the
advice adds.
The 6-page report also advises women with the condition to avoid having sex,
and to eat a healthy diet to reduce the risk of anemia.
To view the draft report, and the advice for specialists (the report
Placenta praevia and placenta praevia accreta: diagnosis and management),
visit the RCOGs website at www.rcog.org.uk. The deadline for submitting
comments on the patient advice is 29 July 2005.
Leanne Wynne
Midwife in charge of "Women's Business"
Mildura Aboriginal Health Service Mob 0418 371862
--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
