The placenta, is an organ which develops in the uterus during pregnancy and provides nourishment to the baby. Oxygen and nutrients pass from the mother through the placenta to the baby and waste is removed from the baby through the placenta to the mothers bloodstream. Placenta Previa is where the placenta lies unusually low in the uterus near to or covering the cervix (the lower part of the uterus which opens into the vagina). If the placenta completely covers the cervix, it is called a complete or total previa, if right on the border of the cervix, it is called a marginal previa. If the edge of the placenta is within 2cm of the cervix but not bordering it, it is called a low-lying placenta. If placenta previa is detected early in pregnancy, it is not generally considered a problem. Although the placenta is implanted into the uterus, it generally moves later in pregnancy with expansion of the uterus and so, moves away from the cervix. The location of the placenta will be checked during the pregnancy via ultrasound at around 16-20 weeks and then again later in pregnancy if required. Only a small percentage of women diagnosed with marginal previa or low-lying placenta before 20 weeks, still have it when they deliver their baby, however a complete previa may remain.
Risk Factors:
~ Previous C-section ~ Fibroids ~ Multiples ~ Increasing age ~ Multiple previous full term pregnancies |
Complications of Placenta Previa:
~ Abnormal bleeding ~ Premature birth ~ Premature separation of placenta from uterine wall ~ Penetration of placenta into the uterine muscle or entire uterine wall ~ Emergency C-section |
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Disclaimer:
This is an information website only, based on my experiences and information I have obtained through my own readings, discussions and related to topics of interest to me. For further information, I suggest you do your own research. There are differing opinions on some topics so some websites may give conflicting information and currency of information may change over time. For medical advice, I suggest you contact your healthcare provider.
This is an information website only, based on my experiences and information I have obtained through my own readings, discussions and related to topics of interest to me. For further information, I suggest you do your own research. There are differing opinions on some topics so some websites may give conflicting information and currency of information may change over time. For medical advice, I suggest you contact your healthcare provider.