- For pregnancies at more than 16 weeks of gestation the term low-lying placenta should be used when the placental edge is less than 20 mm from the internal os on transabdominal or transvaginal scanning (TVS).

• The term placenta praevia should be used when the placenta lies directly over the internal os.

The algorithm suggested by RCOG for low lying placenta can be accessed HERE 

The six elements considered to be reflective of good care are:
 Consultant obstetrician planning and directly supervising delivery.
 Consultant anaesthetist planning and directly supervising anaesthesia at delivery.
 Blood and blood products available.
 Multidisciplinary involvement in preoperative planning.
 Discussion and consent, including possible interventions (such as hysterectomy, leaving the placenta in situ, cell
salvage and interventional radiology).
 Local availability of a level 2 critical care bed.

According to the RCOG- Any lack of compliance with the care bundle by the clinical team for a woman with either placenta praevia or accreta
should be investigated.

According to MBBRACE-UK 2014 to 2016- Women who have had a previous caesarean section who also have either placenta praevia or an anterior placenta underlying the old caesarean section scar at 32 weeks of gestation are at increased risk of placenta accreta and should be managed as if they have placenta accreta, with appropriate preparations for surgery made.

The likelihood of maternal GBS carriage in this pregnancy is 50%.
What should be done?- Discuss the options- a. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis ( IAP).
b. Bacteriological testing in late pregnancy and the offer of IAP if still positive. ( This is the only group of women who are eligible for GBS screening funded by NHS)

After collection, swabs should be placed in a non-nutrient transport medium, such as Amies or Stuart. Specimens should be transported and processed as soon as possible. If processing is delayed, specimens should be refrigerated. When testing for GBS, the lab should be specifically informed that the swab is for GBS testing.

When testing for GBS carrier status, a swab should be taken from the lower vagina and the anorectum.

A single swab (vagina then anorectum) or two different swabs can be used.

Conception during tamoxifen therapy should be avoided because
of potential teratogenicity, and a ‘washout period’ of 2–3 months is advised

Caesarean section is the recommended mode of delivery in cases of cord prolapse when vaginal birth is not imminent in order to prevent hypoxic acidosis.
Category 2 caesarean birth can be considered for women in whom the fetal heart rate pattern is normal, but continuous assessment of the fetal heart trace is essential.

In case of cord prolapse in advanced labor , delivery should be expedited.

A document on categories of Caesarean section can be found here-CLICK HERE

• No screening test is entirely accurate.
• 17% to 25% of women who have a positive swab at 35–37 weeks of gestation will be GBS negative at delivery.
•  5% to 7% of women who are GBS negative at 35–37 weeks of gestation will be GBS positive at delivery.
• Many of the babies who are severely affected from GBS infection are born prematurely, before the suggested time for screening.

Up to 10% of women scheduled for ERCS go into labour before
39+0 weeks. Therefore it is good practice to to discuss and document a plan for delivery if labour starts prior to the scheduled date.

If the placenta is thought to be low lying (less than 20 mm from the internal os) or praevia
(covering the os) at the routine fetal anomaly scan, a follow-up ultrasound examination
including a TVS is recommended at 32 weeks of gestation to diagnose persistent low-lying
placenta and/or placenta praevia.

Use of TVS- to accurately see the placental edge. Also, cervical length is a predictor of antepartum bleeding and emergency preterm caesarean section in placenta praevia. Women with a cervical length of less than 31 mm have a 16 times higher risk of emergency
caesarean section due to massive haemorrhage.

Read about Intrapartum Care in VBAC-

https://obgresource.com/2021/12/10/intrapartum-care-in-vbac-2/

In pregnancies<12 weeks gestation, anti-D Ig prophylaxis is only indicated following ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, therapeutic termination of pregnancy and in
cases of uterine bleeding where this is repeated, heavy
or associated with abdominal pain. The minimum dose should be 250 IU. A test for fetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH) is not required

The UK National Screening Committee examined the issue of strategies recommended that routine screening using bacteriological culture or near-patient testing techniques should not be introduced into UK practice.

The US Guidelines advise that all pregnant women should be offered screening for GBS carriage at 35–37 weeks of gestation and those found to be colonised with GBS should be offered intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.