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Placenta Previa.Symptoms.-Placenta previa is fortunately a comparatively rare occurrence; in some instances, this condition is not indicated by any symptoms until labor itself begins, when the flooding instead of being slight in quantity, as is usually the case, occurs to a most alarming extent. As to the management of placenta previa during labor, we have here nothing to say, except that it is one of the conditions which taxes to the utmost the physician's knowledge, skill and self-possession, and that the bare possibility of its occurence is of itself ample reason for securing in advance the attendance of a medical man at every confinement. In many cases, however, ample warning of this condition is given during the last three or four months of pregnancy. For it often happens that a flooding more or less severe occurs without apparent cause, when the woman has been subjected to no physical or mental strain; and this flooding is usually not accompanied by pain. Hence, we may say in general, that while flooding and pain are the usual symptoms of miscarriage, flooding without pain is often a symptom of placenta previa. This flooding not infrequently occurs at night, even while the woman is asleep; and she may awaken to find that she has suffered a considerable loss of blood. After an uncertain interval, sometimes at that period which would have been the next menstrual period, flooding again occurs, also without perceptible cause. Such losses of blood, therefore, occurring after the sixth month, considerable in quantity and usually unattended with pain, should arouse a suspicion of placenta previa, in which case a physician should be at once summoned, to determine definitely whether this suspicion be well founded. This he is usually able to do as early as the sixth or seventh month, and obtains thereby information of extreme value, which may enable him subsequently to avoid the catastrophe so often inseparable from this condition known as placenta previa ; a condition which but too frequently results in loss of life of the child or of the mother, or even of both. Treatment.-A woman who is the subject of placenta previa should remain, as she values her life and that of her child, under the constant supervision of her medical adviser; it is therefore not our purpose to indicate the usual measures employed, which can be anyhow carried out only by a medical man. But we may say in general that the same measures advised for the prevention of threatened miscarriage are indicated also in the flooding which occurs in placenta previa. The woman should maintain the re cumbent posture, avoid all excitement of whatever nature, and take bland food. It is not, however, advisable to give laudanum, as was suggested in speaking of threatened abortion. There is, however, a form of hemorrhage, or bleeding, which occurs even when placenta previa does not exist; in the latter months of pregnancy a slight escape of blood appearing often in connection with bodily exercise is a not very unusual occurrence. This may be in itself a matter of but little moment, though it is not always possible, even for a physician, to say without a local examination of the parts whether the flooding is due to placenta previa or not. In any case, the medical adviser should be consulted, since a hemorrhage during the latter months is always a symptom of possible mischief. In this connection it should be said that the bleeding sometimes occurs internally into the cavity of the womb itself, and in such cases there may be no loss of blood externally, and, indeed, no symptom which would direct the woman's attention to the womb as the source of the difficulty. The symptoms are various : There is sometimes complete collapse, the skin becomes cold and clammy, the breathing difficult, there is palpitation of the heart, and often nausea. At other times the symptoms are such as often attend a colic, and may be mistaken for such, while the fact is that the woman is rapidly losing blood, which is escaping from her veins into the cavity of the womb. After a time the womb feels distended, and there may be even a perceptible increase in its apparent size. In such cases it is usually desirable to stimulate the womb to contraction by gentle friction of the abdomen, which may be continued until medical assistance is secured. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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