Placenta Praevia

Introduction

The aim of this assignment is to critically analyse a care study. The chosen study explores the care of a woman with placenta praevia, with a focus on some of the associated problems of placenta praevia through pregnancy, labour and puerperium. A full reflection of the care given to this women is identified in appendix one.

The supporting evidence to be critiqued throughout this analysis of the care study has been sourced via database searches, use of the Cochrane library, text books and use of local and national guidelines.

Firstly this assignment will explore the previously existing health problems identified in the care study that may be associated with placenta praevia, it will also explore maternal and fetal well being followed by the health problems associated with placenta praevia during pregnancy, labour and the puerperium.

The fetal and neonatal complications will also be identified and critiqued, as well as the factors that may have influenced this woman perception and experience of her care.

The module intended learning outcomes (appendix two) will be addressed throughout this assignment. Intended Learning Outcomes one, two, three and four will be identified with five being addressed throughout the entire assignment.

Intended Learning Outcome One

The woman in the care study had a history of having one previous delivery, this was by an emergency caesarean section, she was aged 36yrs old and smoked five cigarettes a day (appendix one).

Yang and Wen et al (2007) Identify that following a caesarean delivery a woman’s risk of developing a placenta praevia in subsequent pregnancies is much increased. However, they do also state that placenta praevia is still relatively uncommon. Mutra and Nomelini (2004) discuss that due to a variety of reasons there is a rising number of women undergoing caesarean sections, it could therefore be surmised that the occurrence of placenta praevia may also increase along with this. However...