aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Possible causes of antepartum haemorrhage include:

  • placental abruption 15%
  • placenta praevia 10%
  • rarely caused by vasa praevia

Other causes include:

  • incidental haemorrhage from a lesion of the cervix or vagina - infection, carcinoma, polyp, ectropion
  • show - expulsion of the mucus plug at the onset of labour Other causes to consider include:
  • rectal bleeding; bleeding diatheses; haematuria