Placental Localization by Arteriography

At the present time the only certain method of diagnosing placenta praevia in 3 pregnant woman who has had an ante-partum haemorrhage is by examination under anaesthesia. The examination is usually deferred until the 38th week of pregnancy) when the foetus is considered to be sufficiently mature should premature delivery have to be effected. The procedure is traumatic and may induce labour with or without further haemorrhage. The patient may have presented herself with ante-partum haemorrhage some 4 ?f more weeks before this time, and many such patients are at present occupying antenatal beds in major obstetric units. The prolonged period of hospital stay is often a cause of considerable domestic difficulty and at the end of that time no placenta praevia may be found and the patient is discharged to await the onset of norms' labour.