Normally, the placenta covers the top of the uterus, but if you develop placenta previa, the placenta partially covers the cervix. One out of every 200 to 250 pregnancies are affected by this condition, with varying severity. The cervix may be completely (called a complete or total previa), partially, or only marginally covered by the placenta.
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Most cases of placenta previa correct themselves as the pregnancy progresses; however, in approximately ten percent of cases, the placenta previa is still present at term, which can cause complications. Babies can suffer blood loss, intrauterine growth retardation due to the placenta's inability to provide optimal nutrition, or congenital anomalies. Moms can be at higher risk for hemorrhages, cesarean delivery, or placental invasion, which requires a hysterectomy.
Placenta previa most commonly affects older pregnant women, women who smoke, those who have given birth many times before or are pregnant with multiples, or women who had placenta previa in an earlier pregnancy or have had previous uterine surgery, like a cesarean section or an abortion. Many women alert their caregivers to their placenta previa when they report painless bleeding in their second or third trimester. The bleeding may be light or heavy, and may stop suddenly, but generally reappears. Other common indications include premature contractions, an abnormal positioning of the baby, and the uterus measuring larger than normal. If these symptoms are present, your doctor does an ultrasound to identify or rule out placenta previa. Very rarely, a vaginal exam is performed, usually in an operating room, with a medical team at the ready to perform a cesarean section in case of hemorrhaging.
If you are diagnosed with placenta previa but not bleeding, your doctor will probably give the baby more time to mature and diagnose bed rest and the use of extreme care in the vaginal area, avoiding tampons, intercourse, douching, etc. If you begin to bleed, your doctor will evaluate your baby's lungs in case an emergency cesarean is required, and you will be put through blood tests. Your blood loss will be studied and a transfusion will be prepared for. If your baby is not quite ready to meet the world, your doctor will probably give your baby a steroid injection to promote the growth of your baby's lungs, and you will be given intravenous fluids and oxygen to make sure that both you and your baby do not suffer as a result of the blood loss.
Most women diagnosed with placenta previa have caesarian deliveries to prevent uncontrolled bleeding. Some mothers with marginal previa may deliver vaginally, but no matter how your baby is delivered, their prognosis will be good with proper care and as much time to mature as possible.
what does that mean after u have a baby an the placenta is stuck to ur uterus .
Cheryl on 1/21/2010 5:34:05 PM
Just last week I had an ultrasound performed and was told that I have a low lined placenta which means that I currently have placenta previa. I think the doctors try saying in a different way so that it doesn't scare us women but I was not informed to do things differently in my daily routine. I have 2 children. My daughter is going on 3 in april and my son will be 1 year old next week. They too are very energetic and I have pain and cramping daily along with pain in my back but no bleeding yet. I too have intercourse with my husband and wonder what the risks are for me now. I have another ultrasound coming up in 3 weeks to see if my placents will have moved. I delivered naturally with both my son and daughter yet I fear having a C-Section performed. But whatever is better for both my baby and myself. I have been through what seems to be Hell and back because my daughter was born with Hydrocephalu and she has gone through 2 brain surgeries already so far. Her 1st at 9 months & her 2nd at 1yr& 1/2 of age, when I was pregnant with my son. Also my son was born with Hypo-Spadius and his surgery is coming up in one month. I feel like I deserve to have one normal pregnancy but I guess it's all up to God and he knows what is best for me.
Amber on 1/12/2010 12:20:30 PM
I have placenta previa also and im 23wks and i cramp really bad and hurt but have no bleeding as of yet.Is there anything i should be worried about?
Aletha in Denver on 12/1/2009 6:41:44 AM
Dear shy girl, I have only been pregnant twice. The first was in 95 and my daughter was born by c section. I remember while the staples were in it was extremly difficult and painful to cpugh or if my food went down the wrong pipe and choked me, forget about it!!! That hurt! but.... the fact of the matter is that I'm very glad I never had to push her out my twat and now....15 years later, I am schedualed to deliver by c section again on May 27, 2009. Make sure your careful and take care but if I was you, Id be looking forward to the c-section rather than having to push it out. Good luck and God bless!
Shy Revious on 11/6/2009 10:19:39 AM
I am currently pregnant and have been considered a "high risk" due to my last pregnancy... I have 3 children and one on the way. 5 years ago while on birth control I conceived... I was not aware of my pregnancy and couldn't figure out why my period seemed to be never ending. So I made an appointment with my doctor and was shocked to learn that I was 16 weeks into my pregnancy... that I was not doing to well... you can imagine my suprise when he said stay in bed with your feet up. I at this time had an 8 year old daughter and a 17 month old son who has enough energy for all of us. In short I was sunk. I am not one to stay in bed ever... But I tried and the bleeding went away slowly. That was a long 10 weeks... without a second thought I just got up and went on with my usual daily schduale. In less than three days I was in the hospital haveing my son... at 26 weeks. I had to have two blood transfusions and my son as well. There was no placenta left I had delevered it like you do a child and when they pulled him out the cord feel to peices. The doctors still dont know how we both servived... god!! Because had he not had his hands on us we would be gonners. My son is a miracle. He is also a pain in my but... and sometimes I take for grannite that he is a boy that God has great plans for. I can remember wakeing up and asking the nurse where my baby was... she said go back to sleep... then I was given morphine and the older nurse said you are very lucky to be alive...I asked her,"we are very lucky, right?" she said go back to sleep... I thought he was dead. The next day my doctor came to see me and said my son was at Valley Childrens Hospital and doing ok. He was really early due on 12-15-04 and born 08-13-04 He weighed in at 2'lbs 6'ozs that was 8-13-2004. His name is Robert and he just started Kindergarden Look ar your ultra sound pics for your 26 week fetus... that was my son... I cried and cried when I saw him for the first time he was so ugly... you know still wa
Jenn on 10/22/2009 9:31:35 AM
I also @ 11 weeks was diagnosed with placenta previa. i was in florida going on a cruise when i started to bleed. Scared me to dealth. The doctor has told me no sexually activity ans no lifting more than 10 pounds. I also have a seperation fron the placenta and the baby sac. I completely know what u are goin through. All we can do is take it easy and wait. I realize how hard that is but think of the prize at the end, thats what i am doing. A pray evey day doesnt hurt either. Please let me know how things are going.
Pam on 10/14/2009 6:48:37 AM
Michelle don't be scared, I'm 42 and I have the same thing. I have 2 older children and 8 year old. I will have a sonogram next week to see if it have moved. If not I will have the c-section.
had one with my last delivery 8 years ago. It really was not that bad. I did not experience pain like some women. I just took my time to heal and did what I could. I had a lot of help also. So do not stress over it. It just nature way of letting our little one in the world. God Bless you and your family.
channa on 9/6/2009 9:09:29 AM
I was told at 11 weeks i had placenta previa. But was not told to take precautions, Now im worried. I have intercourse with my husand nightly, could this pose a problem?
cathy on 9/5/2009 8:07:47 AM
with did the baby look like
Kassie.M. on 9/4/2009 3:42:16 PM
I had this condition when i had my first sonogram at 10w6d and by my second sono it was gone so if you have please dont let it stress you out all will be ok
Verbie Miller on 9/3/2009 7:57:14 PM
everything will be alright a c-section is really not that bad the only thing is the after affect when da meds wear off then all the pain hit but other than that its ok i had my first baby natural he is now five my second child i had to have a c-section i was scared also but it was alright now im thirty weeks pregnant an have to have another c-section im not afraid jus hate to go thru the after pain!!! god bless you its nothing to be affraid of...
Kelly on 8/31/2009 5:04:50 PM
I was diagnosed with Placenta Previa at 6wks4dys and had bleeding and cramping up until 12weeks. I was told that I am at high risk for miscarriage and/or if I carry to term, I would have to deliver by c section. I am now 23wks 6dys and was just told by my doctor that my placenta has moved up and is not in the way of my cervix anymore. I am very happy to not have to worry about having a csection nor having to not carry to term. I am happy that my son is growing good and he has a nice strong heartbeat. There is always a possibility of further problems but you have to have hope that everything will work out the way its supposed to. Thanks for listening to my brief story. Good luck to the women out there facing this condition and any other ones. Just have faith and it will all work itself out.
Michelle on 8/31/2009 8:00:32 AM
I was told that my placenta was sitting against my cervix and was told no sex, douching, etc., but i was never told it was called placenta previa. I was at 20 weeks when i was told that i'm now at 29 weeks and no change as of yet, but i was never explained to problems that could happen to the baby or me, except that if it didn't change positions then i would be having a c-section because i could hemorrage have a natural birth. Now i read this and it worries me that something could happen to our son. I'm older(41) and had a DNC done last year when i miss carried early in the pregnancy, so after reading this i'm a little worried. I was already nervouse about having a c-section done in the first place, i had a natural 26 1/2 hour birth with my daughter 18 yrs ago. The thought of having a spinal and them cutting me open and possibly feeling them doing it puts me into a panic, i'm scared at the thought of it. However, I know as soon as i see my son all the pain and pressure will disappear and i won't even think about it, just like i did with my daughter. Well, thank you for listening!!!!!!!!
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