Differential diagnosis for PV bleeding in pregnancy

Per vaginal (PV) bleeding during pregnancy is a common clinical presentation that often necessitates obstetric ultrasound for the assessment of the hemorrhage, and of fetal well being.

The potential causes vary with the stage of gestation.

Bleeding in the first trimester

• miscarriage
  • threatened miscarriage: with or without identifiable subchorionic hemorrhage
  • missed miscarriage
  • incomplete miscarriage
• subchorionic hemorrhage
• retained products of conception
• ectopic pregnancy
• gestational trophoblastic disease
• demise of a twin
• implantation bleeding

Bleeding in second and third trimesters

• placental abruption
• placenta previa
• gestational trophoblastic disease
• vasa previa
• uterine rupture

See also

• differential diagnosis for PV bleeding (non-pregnant patients)
• antepartum hemorrhage
• perigestational hemorrhage