Painless vaginal bleeding at 29 weeks gestation could indicate which condition?

Painless vaginal bleeding at 29 weeks of gestation is most indicative of placenta previa. This condition occurs when the placenta is abnormally implanted in the lower segment of the uterus, partially or completely covering the cervix. As the pregnancy progresses and the uterus expands, this can lead to bleeding, often without any accompanying pain, which differentiates it from other causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

In contrast, conditions such as placental abruption typically present with painful bleeding. A uterine rupture is associated with significant pain and can present with other alarming symptoms, while normal labor usually involves contractions and cervical changes, alongside potential vaginal bleeding. Thus, the lack of pain in the situation described strongly supports the diagnosis of placenta previa as the most likely cause of the bleeding at this stage of pregnancy.