26 Sep All You Need To Know About Placenta Previa
What is Placenta Previa?
Placenta Previa occurs when the placenta of the baby is attached at the lower end of the uterus and hence covers the opening of cervix of the mother partially or totally. This lower attachment of placenta can cause severe bleeding before or during delivery.
Oxygen and essential nutrients reach your baby by placenta and it also helps in removal of waste products from blood of baby. In most of the pregnancies, the placenta is attached to the top and side of the uterus whereas in Placenta Previa the placenta is attached to the lower area of the uterus.
Symptoms:
One of the most common symptoms of Placenta Previa is fresh red bleeding from the vagina without any pain. This usually occurs in the second half of the pregnancy and it stops without the need of any treatment but can return after few days or weeks. Few women also experience contractions so this is another symptom for Placenta Previa. If you experience bleeding from your vagina in the second and third trimester then it is advisable to call your health provider immediately.
Types of placenta praevia
Major – when placenta is partially or wholly covering the opening of cervix( entrance to the womb)
Minor – when the plantar edge is either just dipping into the lower segment of uterus or is reaching the edge of cervix but not covering it.
Risks associated with placenta praevia
The major risk associated with placenta praevia is the risk of bleeding . This can be life threatening in women with major forms of placenta praevia . So the risks for the mother are:
- severe life threatening haemorrhage
- Need for blood transfusions and
- Delivery by Caesarean section
- Preterm labor and delivery
- 5 risk of heavy bleeding from uterus after delivery necessitating further operative procedures to stop bleeding in some women
The risks for the baby are mainly related to prematurity as a result of earlier deliveries due to heavy bleeding or preterm labours.
Causes of Placenta Previa
Placenta grows at the place where embryo implants itself in the uterus. If the embryo implants in the lower portion of the uterus then the placenta will develop over the cervix and hence result in Placenta Previa. Placenta Previa is associated with:
- Women of age of more than 35 years
- twin pregnancies / multiple pregnancies
- Previous caesarean births / scars in the uterus
- Multiparty
Test and Diagnosis
The problem can be diagnosed with the help of an ultrasound during a prenatal appointment or after you have had an issue of vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy. Tests that are done are listed below:
- Abdominal ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasound is done to check for the problem.
- In very rare cases, MRI is done to determine the location of the placenta as well as to rule out abnormal attachment of placenta to uterus wall( placenta accreta)
Treatment
The treatment for Placenta Previa is dependent on many factors like:
- Amount of bleeding
- Duration of pregnancy
- Health of your baby
- Your health
- Position of placenta
For little or no bleeding, your gynaecologist may recommend bed rest at home.
Iron supplements and vitamin supplements are prescribed to prevent anemia in pregnancy. You need to avoid sex or anything that can trigger bleeding and for heavy bleeding you may need to rest at the hospital and medications to prevent preterm birth. Ultrasounds are done periodically to assess the position of placenta and to check the growth of the baby.
Women with major degree placenta praevia will be offered caesarean birth with fetal maturity. Pregnancy is a very happy time. If you are diagnosed with this problem of Placenta Previa then make sure you educate your self on how this problem will affect you and your baby. Take all the precautions recommended by your health care provider and take care of yourself. We at Triveni Obs & Gyn Clinic see a large number of women with high risk pregnancies including placenta praevia and offer the best evidence based treatments for these pregnancies.
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