Document ID: MATY007 Version: 1.

0
Facilitated by: Eleanor Martin, Educator Last reviewed: February 2015
Approved by: Maternity Quality Committee Review date: March 2017

Antepartum Haemorrhage Policy

Hutt Maternity Policies provide guidance for the midwives and medical staff working in Hutt Maternity
Services. Please discuss policies relevant to your care with your Lead Maternity Carer.

Purpose
The purpose of this guideline is to:
• Establish a local approach to care, that is evidence based and consistent
• Inform good decision making
• Provide safe and effective care for women and their babies experiencing this
condition

Scope
All obstetric staff employed by the Hutt Valley DHB
All midwifery staff employed by the Hutt Valley DHB
All Hutt Valley DHB maternity access agreement holders.
Anaesthetic staff
Neonatal staff

Definitions
APH Antepartum Haemorrhage
CBC Complete Blood Count

Introduction
Antepartum haemorrhage is defined as bleeding into and from the genital tract after 24
weeks of pregnancy until the birth of the baby (NICE, 2011). In practice all women
beyond 20 weeks should be assessed along the lines suggested.

Causes:
Placenta praevia Bleeding from separation of an abnormally situated placenta. (The
placenta lies partly or completely in the lower uterine segment)
Tend to have smaller ‘warning bleed’ prior to labour
Abruptio placenta Bleeding from separation of a normally situated placenta.
Bleed can be concealed.

Incidental causes Bleeding can arise from some other part of the birth canal e.g.
Cervical erosion, cervical polyps etc.
 If a local cause can be seen an ultra sound can be arranged on a
non-urgent basis.

There are no consistent definitions of the severity of APH. Blood loss is known to be
underestimated and APH may often be concealed. It is therefore important to assess
for signs of clinical shock.
It is recommended that women be advised to report all vaginal bleeding to their LMC.
Women known to be at high risk of haemorrhage should be managed in centres with
facilities for blood transfusions and intensive care.

Referral Guidelines
See the Guidelines for Consultation with Obstetric and Related Medical Services
(Referral Guidelines) MOH, 2012.

Women need to be admitted to Delivery Suite and be seen as a priority. An

identity bracelet should be applied and admission documentation completed.

Assessment
First establish whether urgent intervention is required to manage maternal or
foetal compromise.
• An approximate assessment of the blood lost: women should be asked to bring
in towels and pads.
• Was the bleeding associated with pain prior or during the bleed?
• Any foetal movements since bleed?
• Is the mother in hypovolaemic shock?
• Any previous bleeding during the pregnancy?
• Any contractions?
• Any recent history of sexual intercourse?
• Any recent history of physical trauma?
• Any history of domestic violence?
• Any symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
• What was the last Hb?

Important points in the examination are:

• Foetal viability/heart rate.
• Degree of anaemia in woman.
• Degree of shock in woman.
• Signs of membrane rupture.
• Signs suggestive of placenta praevia:
Malpresentation
Minimal tenderness
Unengaged head
• Signs suggestive of abruption:
Pain and tenderness
Co-existing pre-eclampsia

Antepartum Haemorrhage (MATY007) Page 2 of 5

 High blood pressure (pre eclampsia/PIH/essential hypertension)
• Rigid board-like abdomen
• Early scan in Delivery Suite if possible.
• A digital vaginal examination of cervical status is not carried out as part of the
initial assessment. It may be performed at the discretion of the consultant, and
this may be in theatre with preparation for immediate caesarean section.
• A gentle speculum examination should be carried out by the obstetric team as
part of the initial assessment of the woman.
• The consultant will formulate plan of care.

Moderate bleeding

• Call for help, ring emergency bell, ring 777 and state This is a CODE 2
EMERGENCY, venue and room number
• CBC and cross-match if bleeding continues. Transfusion should start as quickly
as possible.
• Clotting studies and Kleihauer should be obtained.
• Cannulate size 16g x2
• Commence CTG if appropriate
• Maternal pulse, BP every 15 minutes if active bleeding
• Maternal O2 via non-rebreather mask
• Vaginal blood loss (weigh if necessary 1ml = 1g)
• Contractions
• Rigid abdomen
• Pain
• Inform Special Care Staff.
• Early ultrasonic evaluation of placental site.
• Insert an indwelling catheter into the bladder, measure urine hourly which is
maintained at 0.5 mls/kg/hour. If it is less than 0.25 mls/kg/hour for more than 2
hours notify the obs on call.
(BMJ, 2009)
If woman and baby able to tolerate labour:

• Consider the need for paediatric SMO and obstetric SMO for the birth.
• Continuous CTG in labour.
• Consideration of caesarean section if bleeding heavy, or if maternal/foetal
compromise.
• Active Management of third stage required
• Record blood loss at delivery.
• Keep whānau/family informed

IF MAJOR BLEED – refer Major Obstetric Haemorrhage Policy

Antepartum Haemorrhage (MATY007) Page 3 of 5

References
ALSO, (2000). Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics. USA: AAFP

Konje, J. C., Taylor, D.J. Bleeding in late pregnancy. In James, D.K., Steer, P.J.,
nd
Weiner, C.P. & Gonik, B. (2000). High risk pregnancy: Management options 2 ed.
London: W.B Saunders.

Lindsay, P. Bleeding in Pregnancy. In Henderson, C. & McDonald, S. eds. (2004).

th
Mayes Midwifery A textbook for midwives 13 ed. London: Balliere Tindall.
REFERENCES
(British Journal of Midwifery, February 2009, vol 17, no 2

Ministry of Health. (2012) Guidelines for Consultation with Obstetric and Related
Medical Services (Referral Guidelines). Wellington: Ministry of Health

Associated policies and guidelines

EFM Guidelines
Management of Massive Obstetric haemorrhage policy
Transfer of women from Hutt Valley DHB to Capital and Coast DHB policy
Management of PPH policy
Management Placenta praevia protocol

Informed Consent
The right of a consumer to make an informed choice and give informed consent,
including the right to refuse medical treatment, is enshrined in law and in the Code of
Health and Disability Consumers’ Rights in New Zealand. This means that a woman
can choose to decline treatment, referral to another practitioner, or transfer of clinical
responsibility. If this occurs follow the process map on page 18 of the Referral
Guidelines (Ministry of Health, 2012).

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 Appendix 1

Management of antepartum haemorrhage flowchart

On admission CAUSES
• Assess degree of bleeding • Placenta praevia
(Weighing 1ml=1g) • Abruption – concealed or revealed
• Consider cause • Marginal bleed
• Check maternal obs • Local causes
• Check foetal heart (CTG) • Vasa praevia (rare)
• Heavy ‘show’
DEFER VAGINAL EXAMINATION UNTIL PLACENT PRAEVIA
EXCLUDED

MINOR APH MODERATE MAJOR

• Mild pain/tenderness • Pain (if present) • Marked abdominal
• Maternal obs and moderate pain or tenderness
FHR normal • Maternal obs and • FHR abnormalities
FHR normal

• IV Cannula NOT • IV Cannula 16G Refer to Massive

required • Take CBC and Haemorrhage
• Take CBC Clotting Studies
• Group & Hold • APTT, INR
• Kleihauer • Kleihauer
• Group & Hold
• If praevia IV 16 G
access x2
• Cross match 2
Ultrasound Scan Units
• Exclude placenta praevia • Give Anti -D If
• Exclude retroplacental • Speculum Rh NEG
clot examination to rule
• (establish baseline out local causes
growth)

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