Placenta praevia occurs when the placenta implants in the lower uterine segment. It is often first diagnosed at the 20-week routine anomaly scan and affects approximately 1:200 women. Placenta praevia is associated with high levels of maternal morbidity and therefore presents a significant challenge for women and care providers. The management of this obstetric complication requires a multidisciplinary approach to antenatal diagnosis and monitoring, birth planning and postnatal care to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Heidi Beddall - Consultant Midwife, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust