Mrs. Phang, eight months pregnant with her first child, makes an appointment with her obstetrician to investigate the cause of vaginal bleeding. Because it is actually more "spotting" than frank bleeding, and painless, she is becoming worried

Ultrasound visualization of her abdomen shows that the placenta is formed across the internal os of the cervix, and she is ordered to her bed for the remainder of the pregnancy. What name is given to Mrs. Phang's condition? Why is it an extremely serious condition? Why was she ordered to have complete bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy?
What will be an ideal response


Mrs. Phang's condition is called placenta previa. It is an extremely serious condition because as the uterus and cervix stretch, tearing of the placenta may occur. Furthermore, if the placenta is located inferior to the fetus and separates, the placenta will be expelled before the fetus, who isn't yet in a location to breathe. Given the length of time needed for fetal expulsion, the fetus will suffocate and die. She was ordered to have complete bed rest to keep physical activity at a minimum so that the placenta would not tear away.

Anatomy & Physiology

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