Which of the following is NOT a life-threatening cause of bleeding in late pregnancy?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus that can potentially cause complications during pregnancy, such as pain or preterm labor, but they are generally not considered a life-threatening cause of bleeding in late pregnancy. In contrast, conditions like placenta previa, placental abruption, and ruptured vasa previa can lead to significant maternal and fetal morbidity or mortality.

Placenta previa occurs when the placenta covers the cervix, presenting risks of severe bleeding during labor and delivery. Placental abruption involves the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, which can lead to significant hemorrhaging and fetal distress. Ruptured vasa previa occurs when fetal blood vessels cross or run near the internal cervical os, risking catastrophic fetal blood loss if these vessels rupture during labor.

While uterine fibroids can cause discomfort or bleeding, they do not pose the same immediate life-threatening risk to the mother or fetus as the other conditions listed.