Bleeding During Pregnancy

Book excerpt: The phenomenon of bleeding has been shown to appear in up to 22% of all pregnancies and is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidities, and even mortality. Although vaginal bleeding occurs mainly during the first trimester, it can appear at any stage of pregnancy and in the postpartum period. This sometimes life-threatening event requires an extensive work-up in order to recognize its cause and establish a rapid and effective therapeutic approach. This book is a comprehensive appraisal of this critical condition. It draws on evidence-based data and brings together, in a single volume, updated information on all aspects of pregnancy-related bleeding. A global group of interdisciplinary experts contributed chapters on: bleeding during early pregnancy (early pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, and cancer of the reproductive tract during pregnancy); bleeding in late pregnancy (preterm delivery, placental abruption, placenta previa, vasa previa and uterine rupture); and postpartum hemorrhage.