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Placenta previa

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Cesarean section
Cesarean section
Ultrasound in pregnancy
Ultrasound in pregnancy
Anatomy of a normal placenta
Anatomy of a normal placenta
Placenta previa
Placenta previa
Placenta
Placenta
Ultrasound, normal fetus - arms and legs
Ultrasound, normal fetus - arms and legs
Ultrasound, normal relaxed placenta
Ultrasound, normal relaxed placenta
Ultrasound, color - normal umbilical cord
Ultrasound, color - normal umbilical cord
Placenta
Placenta

Definition    Return to top

Placenta previa is a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta grows in the lowest part of the womb (uterus) and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix.

The placenta is the organ that nourishes the developing fetus.

Causes    Return to top

During pregnancy, the placenta moves as the uterus stretches and grows. In early pregnancy, a low-lying placenta is very common. But as the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus should "pull" the placenta toward the top of the womb. By the third trimester, the placenta should be near the top of the uterus, leaving the opening of the cervix clear for the delivery.

Sometimes, though, the placenta remains in the lower portion of the uterus, partly or completely covering this opening. This is called a previa.

There are different forms of placenta previa:

Placenta previa occurs in 1 out of 200 pregnancies. It is more common in women who have:

Women who smoke or have their children at an older age may also have an increased risk. Possible causes of placenta previa include:

Symptoms    Return to top

The main symptom of placenta previa is sudden, painless vaginal bleeding that often occurs near the end of the second trimester or beginning of the third trimester. In some cases, there is severe bleeding, or hemorrhage. The bleeding may stop on its own but can start again days or weeks later.

There may be uterine cramping with the bleeding. Labor sometimes starts within several days after heavy vaginal bleeding. However, in some cases, bleeding may not occur until after labor starts.

See: Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Your health care provider can diagnose placenta previa with an ultrasound exam. Most cases of placenta previa are identified by routine ultrasound during pregnancy.

Treatment    Return to top

Treatment depends on various factors:

Many times the placenta moves away from the cervical opening before delivery.

If the placenta is near the cervix or is covering a portion of it, you may need to reduce activities and stay on bed rest. Your doctor will order pelvic rest, which means no intercourse, no tampons, and no douching. Nothing should be placed in the vagina.

If there is bleeding, however, you will most likely be admitted to a hospital for careful monitoring.

If you have lost a lot of blood, blood transfusions may be given. You may receive medicines to prevent premature labor and help the pregnancy continue to at least 36 weeks. Beyond 36 weeks, delivery of the baby may be the best treatment.

If your blood type is Rh-negative, you will be given anti-D immunoglobulin injections.

Your health care providers will carefully weigh your risk of ongoing bleeding against the risk of an early delivery for your baby.

Women with placenta previa most likely need to deliver the baby by cesarean section. This helps prevent death to the mother and baby. An emergency cesarean may be done if the placenta actually covers the cervix and the bleeding is heavy or life threatening.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Placenta previa is most often diagnosed before bleeding occurs. Careful monitoring of the mother and unborn baby can prevent many of the significant dangers.

The biggest risk is that severe bleeding will require your baby to be delivered early, before major organs, such as the lungs, have developed.

Most complications can be avoided by hospitalizing a mother who is having symptoms, and delivering by C-section.

Possible Complications    Return to top

Risks to the mother include:

There is also an increased risk for infection, blood clots, and necessary blood transfusions.

Prematurity (infant is less than 36 weeks gestation) causes most infant deaths in cases of placenta previa. Fetal blood loss or hemorrhage may occur because the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus during labor. The fetus also can lose blood when the uterus is opened during a C-section delivery.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have bleeding from the vagina at any point in your pregnancy. Placenta previa can be dangerous to both you and your baby.

Prevention    Return to top

This condition is not preventable.

References    Return to top

Francois KE, Foley MR. Antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 18.

Houry DE, Abbott JT. Acute complications of pregnancy. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 177.

Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al . Obstetrical hemorrhage. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, NY; McGraw-Hill; 2005:chap 35.

Update Date: 10/28/2008

Updated by: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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