• The timing of delivery should be tailored to the patient.
• If history of vaginal bleeding/ other risk factors for preterm delivery- consider ‘Late preterm delivery’- 34+0 to 36 +6 weeks.
• If uncomplicated placenta previa- Consider between 36+ 0 and 37+0.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A systematic review reported that women with one, two, or three or more previous caesarean deliveries experience a 1%, 1.7% or 2.8% risk of placenta previa in a subsequent pregnancy. ( Source- Birth After Previous
Caesarean Birth Green-top Guideline No. 45 ).

Assisted reproductive technology ( RR- 3.71, OR 2.67)and maternal smoking ( OR 1.42)  increase the risk of placenta praevia.

For potentially sensitising events after 20weeks gestation,
a minimum anti-D Ig dose of 500 IU should be administered within 72 h of the event.

- 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 

• 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.

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/

Methotrexate adjuvant therapy should not be used for expectant management as it is of unproven benefit and has significant adverse effects.

Cord presentation is the presence of the umbilical cord between the fetal presenting part and the cervix, with or without intact membranes. ( i.e if the cord  is present ABOVE the cervix, with ruptured membranes- this is cord PRESENTATION)

Cord prolapse is descent of the umbilical cord through the cervix  in the presence of ruptured membranes.

Cord prolapse can be occult ( Alongside the presenting part) or OVERT (Past the presenting part)