epidemiology of APH

Last reviewed 04/2021

• antepartum haemorrhage - APH - occurs in approximately 2% of pregnancies
• placenta praevia occurs in approximately 1:200 deliveries
• 30% of all maternal deaths due to haemorrhage are attributable to ante-partum haemorrhage
• 8 deaths occurred from APH in 1976-8, 5 from APH in 1979-81 (England and Wales)
• 50% of deaths associated with avoidable factors
• placenta praevia is associated with a 4 fold increase in perinatal mortality rate
• abruption is associated with a 22 fold increase in perinatal mortality rate