Why should a woman with placenta previa avoid vaginal exams?

• A. It is not necessary for diagnosis
• B. It could cause profuse bleeding/hemorrhage
• C. It does not provide any relevant information
• D. It can induce premature labor

Answer: (B)

A woman with placenta previa should avoid vaginal exams primarily because of the risk of triggering profuse bleeding or hemorrhage. In this condition, the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, and any disturbance to the cervical area—such as from a vaginal examination—can lead to damage to the blood vessels located in the lower uterine segment. This may result in significant bleeding that can jeopardize both the mother's health and the safety of the fetus.

While it is true that vaginal exams are not necessary for the diagnosis of placenta previa, as imaging techniques like ultrasounds provide sufficient information, the immediate concern in this context is the safety of the patient. Vaginal examinations also do not typically yield additional relevant information that would alter management in cases of placenta previa. Furthermore, while vaginal exams can potentially induce premature labor, this is not the primary concern in the context of placenta previa, where the risk of hemorrhage takes precedence. Thus, the best and most critical reason to avoid vaginal exams in this situation is the potential for severe bleeding.