In placenta previa management, which procedure is contraindicated?

In placenta previa management, which procedure is contraindicated?

• A. Ultrasound to locate placenta
• B. External electronic fetal monitoring
• C. Manual pelvic examination
• D. Drawing Hb/Hct

Answer: (C)

In placenta previa, the placenta implants near or over the cervical opening, so inserting fingers for a manual pelvic examination can disrupt placental tissue and trigger life-threatening vaginal bleeding. That risk makes manual vaginal examination contraindicated. The safe approach is to use ultrasound to locate the placenta noninvasively, and to monitor the fetus with external electronic fetal monitoring while assessing the mother’s status with labs like Hb/Hct. This combination supports careful planning and reduces the danger of hemorrhage, including decisions about delivery method.

In placenta previa, the placenta implants near or over the cervical opening, so inserting fingers for a manual pelvic examination can disrupt placental tissue and trigger life-threatening vaginal bleeding. That risk makes manual vaginal examination contraindicated. The safe approach is to use ultrasound to locate the placenta noninvasively, and to monitor the fetus with external electronic fetal monitoring while assessing the mother’s status with labs like Hb/Hct. This combination supports careful planning and reduces the danger of hemorrhage, including decisions about delivery method.