Complications of Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is a pregnancy condition in which a low-lying placenta covers or touches the cervix. Since the placenta supplies the baby with blood and nourishment, this organ is important to its survival. Placenta previa is a serious condition that is extremely dangerous for the mother as well. There are many complications that could arise with a low-lying placenta, and every pregnant woman should understand them.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
There are two types of placenta previa--marginal and complete. The marginal variety has the placenta right next to, but not covering, the cervix. Complete, on the other hand, covers the entire cervix. Both are dangerous, and both can lead to three main complications: severe bleeding, placenta accreta or even premature birth. Since there are so many blood vessels in the placenta, they lose a lot of blood quickly. If the cervix dilates, it could rupture the placenta, and the mother could need a blood transfusion or possibly die. Often premature birth is necessary if doctors can no longer control cervical dilation or bleeding, and they must deliver the baby via cesarean, no matter how early it is. Placenta accreta is another complication that happens with 1 out of 10 placenta previa babies, according to BabyCenter.com. This is when the placenta embeds too far into the uterine wall and cannot break free after birth. Oftentimes the only solution is a hysterectomy to stop the bleeding.
Time Frame
-
Ultrasounds indicating a low-lying placenta during the second trimester aren't too concerning. In fact, only about 10 percent of mothers still have placenta previa when it comes time to deliver their babies, according to BabyCenter.com. When the uterus expands, it naturally "moves" the placenta higher and higher. It isn't until a followup ultrasound during the third trimester that doctors begin to worry about placenta previa.
-
Precautions
-
Once you have been diagnosed with placenta previa, you should stop having intercourse, and the doctor will no longer perform vaginal exams. Regular ultrasounds alert the doctors to any internal bleeding, and you must keep a strict watch yourself for vaginal bleeding. Also, you may not be put on bed rest, and exercising and strenuous activity are prohibited.
Expert Insight
-
Excessive bleeding after cesarean delivery is one of the main concerns with placenta previa patients. Typically after a C-section, the mother will be administered pitocin to contract the uterus. These contractions are designed to help stop the bleeding, especially at the sight where the placenta attaches to the uterus. Sometimes this bleeding doesn't stop for some time, and it is necessary for the woman to have a blood transfusion.
Risk Factors
-
Women with previous uterine surgery such as a C-section or uterine fibroid removal are more likely to experience placenta previa. Also, women carrying multiples, who smoke, or are over the age of 35 are at more risk, according to MayoClinic.com.
-
