antenatal screening programme
Placenta praevia
Placenta praevia is when the placenta lies too low in the womb (uterus) after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Read more about placenta praevia on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in December 2013.
Screening for placenta praevia is not recommended. This is because the position of the placenta is currently checked during routine antenatal care. At the routine 18+0 to 20+6 week ultrasound scan. Women with a placenta in a low position will be recalled later in pregnancy for monitoring.
Guidance for health professionals is provided by:
- the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
- NICE
Supporting documents from the 2013 review
Evidence summary Vasa praevia & placenta praevia (2013)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses Vasa Praevia and Placenta Praevia (2013)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2013
Next review estimated to be completed: 2021 to 2022.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Placenta praevia
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- British Maternal & Fetal Medicine Society
- Faculty of Public Health
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Midwives
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- Society of Radiographers
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.