What Is Placenta Previa? Causes, Diagnosis and Labor

By (gynecologist), (embryologist) and (invitra staff).
Last Update: 10/07/2019

The placenta is a maternal-fetal organ that develops during pregnancy, is found in the uterus and is responsible for meeting the basic needs of the fetus through the mother: breathing, feeding and excretion.

Some problems during pregnancy can arise as a result of alterations in the placenta. One of these cases is placenta previa, which occurs when the placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus and covers all or part of the opening of the cervix.

Types of placenta previa

As the pregnancy progresses and the uterus grows, the placenta moves through the uterus. During the first months of pregnancy, it is common for the placenta to be in the lower part of the uterus, but as the weeks progress, it grows and is located in the upper part.

Once the third trimester of pregnancy arrives, the placenta measures about 22 cm and weighs about 0.5 kg, and must already be at the top of the uterus to clear the birth canal.

If this does not happen, there will be a placenta previa problem, in which the following types can be differentiated:

Low lying placenta
the placenta is in the lower segment of the uterus but does not reach the opening of the cervix.
Marginal previa
the placenta is next to the cervix but does not cover the opening.
Partial previa
the placenta covers part of the cervical opening.
Complete previa
the placenta covers the entire cervical opening. This type is also known as type IV placenta previa.

Causes

The exact cause of placenta previa is unknown.

However, there are some risk factors that predispose women to this complication. They are listed below:

Placenta previa occurs in 1 in 200 pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation.

Diagnosis

The placenta previa is diagnosed by ultrasound, which shows whether the position of the placenta is correct or not.

If this condition is detected before the third trimester of pregnancy, there is no cause for alarm, as the placenta is likely to vary in position as the uterus enlarges.

Only 30% of women with placenta previa before the 24th week of pregnancy still keep it in that position at the time of delivery.

If the woman has vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks, it is necessary to go to the gynecologist to perform an ultrasound and check whether it is due to a previous placenta or some other problem.

The evolution of this complication will depend on the intensity of the bleeding and the exact week of pregnancy. The likelihood of having placenta previa at the time of delivery increases with gestational age.

Specifically, about 70% of women will have placenta previa at the time of delivery if the diagnosis is made from 30 weeks. It is also more likely to persist if it is a complete placenta previa, rather than a marginal or partial placenta.

Symptoms and Treatment

Most women with placenta previa before the 20th week of gestation remain asymptomatic.

Symptoms of placenta previa usually occur when placenta previa persists later in pregnancy, starting at 20 weeks. The main symptoms are painless vaginal bleeding with bright red blood and variable intensity.

Bleeding occurs because the cervix begins to dilate and ruptures the blood vessels in the placenta and the area where it is implanted. This bleeding may stop on its own and start again a few days later. Sometimes vaginal bleeding does not occur until labor begins.

Depending on the intensity of the vaginal bleeding and the type of placenta previa, the procedure will be as follows:

Mild bleeding and low or marginal placenta previa
the doctor will order absolute bed rest, to reduce activities and rest the pelvis, which means not having sex or using tampons.
Heavy bleeding and partial or total placenta previa
the woman is likely to be hospitalized for more monitoring and treated with blood transfusions. Increased bleeding can put the mother's and baby's health at risk.

The doctor will then have to make a decision about the type of delivery, which in most cases will be scheduled.

Childbirth with placenta previa

The way to proceed when giving birth with placenta previa will depend on the type and severity.

In case of pregnancy with uncomplicated placenta previa, a vaginal delivery or cesarean section is scheduled around 37 weeks. Carrying a pregnancy to term is not recommended as the risk associated with placenta previa could be much worse than having a preterm birth. For example, an emergency cesarean section should be performed if severe bleeding occurs in the last weeks of gestation.

Generally, most women with partial or total placenta previa will give birth through a cesarean section, as a vaginal delivery could cause heavy bleeding that could be deadly to the mother and baby.

In case of pregnancy with placenta previa that presents abundant bleeding and other risk factors, a cesarean section will be performed if the woman is at least in the 36th week of gestation. Before this, corticosteroids may be needed to speed up the fetal lung maturation process.

If the woman is less than 35 weeks pregnant, she will remain hospitalized to control bleeding and, in case of fetal distress and/or unstoppable bleeding, a c-section will also be performed.

FAQs from users

What are the signs and symptoms of placenta previa during pregnancy?

By Óscar Oviedo Moreno M.D. (gynecologist).

Placenta previa is a pregnancy problem in which placenta grows in the lower part of the cervix causing a complete or partial obstruction of its opening.

The main symptom is sudden painless vaginal bleeding. It is detected by ultrasound, which shows the position of the placenta.

It is convenient to have an exhaustive ultrasound control in these cases in order to avoid premature birth.

Sometimes it may be necessary to perform an emergency caesarean section.

Is it possible to have a vaginal delivery with placenta previa?

By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).

Is it possible to have a vaginal delivery with placenta previa?

This depends on the type of placenta previa. If it is a complete or partial placenta previa, but with a border less than 2 cm from the exit orifice of the cervix, the birth canal will necessarily be a cesarean section.

On the other hand, if the edge of the placenta is more than 2 cm from the cervix outlet, vaginal delivery is possible. In this case, if any complications arise during delivery or there is bleeding, a cesarean section should be performed immediately.

What complications can arise in pregnancy with a placenta praevia?

By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).

The main complication is heavy bleeding that may occur before or during childbirth. Bulky blood loss is life-threatening to the mother and fetus. Moreover, in case of an emergency cesarean section, the baby may be born very prematurely, without its major organs, such as the lungs, having developed.

Another much feared complication is the likelihood of the placenta praevia becoming a placenta accreta. This happens when the placenta implants deeply in the uterus and does not finish taking off at the time of delivery, which can cause massive bleeding and have to resort to a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).

What care should be taken during pregnancy with placenta previa?

By Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).

If your doctor diagnoses placenta previa during a follow-up ultrasound, he or she will most likely recommend that you do not exert yourself physically, lead a quiet life, and abstain from sexual intercourse.

Long trips, especially abroad, should also be avoided, as well as stress or exhaustion. In case of vaginal bleeding, the woman should go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

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References

Authors and contributors

 Óscar Oviedo Moreno
Óscar Oviedo Moreno
M.D.
Gynecologist
Bachelor's Degree in Medicine & Surgery from the University of Caldas (Colombia). Specialist in Internal Medicine by the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana of Bogotá. Degree standardized in Spain in 2003. Specialist in Gynecology & Obstetrics from the Complutense University of Madrid, with residence at Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos de Madrid. Expert in Reproductive Medicine and Certification in Obstetric-Gynecologic Ultrasound (levels I, II and III). More information about Óscar Oviedo Moreno
License: 282858310
 Zaira Salvador
Zaira Salvador
B.Sc., M.Sc.
Embryologist
Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology from the Technical University of Valencia (UPV). Biotechnology Degree from the National University of Ireland en Galway (NUIG) and embryologist specializing in Assisted Reproduction, with a Master's Degree in Biotechnology of Human Reproduction from the University of Valencia (UV) and the Valencian Infertility Institute (IVI) More information about Zaira Salvador
License: 3185-CV
Adapted into english by:
 Romina Packan
Romina Packan
inviTRA Staff
Editor and translator for the English and German edition of inviTRA. More information about Romina Packan

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