Any vaginal bleeding after the 20th week of pregnancy. Antepartum hemorrhage may have several causes, including damage to the cervix, separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, or placenta previa, in which the placenta lies over the cervix. Most antepartum bleeding is mild and harmless. However, hemorrhage caused by placental separation, placental bleeding, and placenta previa can threaten both the mother and baby. Any bleeding during pregnancy should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible. Blood tests and ultrasound scanning can help identify the source of the hemorrhage. In the case of severe antepartum hemorrhage, hospitalization may be required. A blood transfusion may be needed, and the baby may need to be delivered as soon as possible, either by cesarean section or by induction of labor.
Excessive blood loss during the prenatal period, most commonly associated with spontaneous or induced abortion, ruptured ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, or abruptio placentae.