What is the initial management step for a suspected placenta previa during labor?

What is the initial management step for a suspected placenta previa during labor?

• A. Avoid vaginal examinations and prepare for cesarean delivery if bleeding continues; monitor fetal status.
• B. Perform vaginal examinations to locate placenta
• C. Induce labor with oxytocin
• D. Administer magnesium sulfate

Answer: (A)

Placenta previa means the placenta lies near or over the cervical opening, so manipulating through the vagina can trigger heavy, life-threatening bleeding. The safest first step during labor is to avoid vaginal examinations and to plan for cesarean delivery if the bleeding continues, all while closely monitoring the fetus. This approach protects both mother and baby by preventing further disruption of the placental attachment and allowing rapid action if hemorrhage or fetal distress develops. Additional measures focus on maternal stabilization and ongoing fetal status assessment rather than procedures that could worsen bleeding; inducing labor or giving magnesium sulfate wouldn’t address the bleeding risk and could complicate the situation.

Placenta previa means the placenta lies near or over the cervical opening, so manipulating through the vagina can trigger heavy, life-threatening bleeding. The safest first step during labor is to avoid vaginal examinations and to plan for cesarean delivery if the bleeding continues, all while closely monitoring the fetus. This approach protects both mother and baby by preventing further disruption of the placental attachment and allowing rapid action if hemorrhage or fetal distress develops. Additional measures focus on maternal stabilization and ongoing fetal status assessment rather than procedures that could worsen bleeding; inducing labor or giving magnesium sulfate wouldn’t address the bleeding risk and could complicate the situation.