Placenta praevia
The UK NSC policy on Placenta praevia screening in pregnancy
More Information
Placenta praevia is when the placenta lies too low in the womb (uterus) after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
» Read more about placenta praevia from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
» Also see the UK NSC policy on vasa praevia
Policy Position
A national screening programme for placenta praevia is not recommended.
The classification of placenta praevia is evolving and more information is required on the relationship between proximity of the placenta to the cervical os and risk of placenta praevia in later pregnancy. Developments in this area may inform future UK NSC reviews.
Policy for the assessment of placental location, risk of placenta praevia and its management pathway is currently addressed by the RCOG and NICE.
This policy was reviewed in Nov 2008 but no significant changes were made. It is due to be considered again in 2011/12, or earlier if significant new evidence emerges.
Evidence Supporting the Policy
This policy was adopted on the basis of the evidence supporting the NICE routine antenatal care guidelines:
National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health. Commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Antenatal care: routine care for the healthy pregnant woman. CG62: full guidance. March 2008 (corrected June 2008).
See the review against UK NSC criteria, below.
Stakeholders
British Maternal & Fetal Medicine Society
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The Society of Radiographers
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.
Related documents
Summary of UK NSC decision on screening for placenta praevia and vasa praevia (November 2008) (PDF document, 15KB, 05/10/09)Vasa praevia and placenta praevia review against the NSC criteria (November 2008) (PDF document, 151KB, 05/10/09)
