Why is placenta previa a problem during childbirth
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start.
Building on a successful year legacy, we support every pregnant person and every family. March of Dimes, a not-for-profit, section c 3. Privacy, Terms, and Notices , Cookie Settings.
Register Sign In. Hi Your dashboard sign out. Need help? Frequently asked questions Contact us. Baby Caring for your baby Feeding your baby. Ambassadors Ambassadors Celebrity Advocate Council. Mission stories Spotlights Impact Stories. Placenta previa. E-mail to a friend Please fill in all fields. Please enter a valid e-mail address. Thank you! Your e-mail was sent.
Save to my dashboard Sign in or Sign up to save this page. You can have a surgical abortion from around six weeks of pregnancy onwards. Age affects the fertility of both men and women, and is the single biggest factor affecting a woman? Androgen deficiency in women and its treatment is controversial, and more research is needed.
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.
All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Healthy pregnancy.
Home Healthy pregnancy. Placenta previa. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms Why the bleeding happens Possible complications Causes and risk factors Diagnosis methods Digital vaginal examinations should be strictly avoided Treatment options vary Treatment during pregnancy Delivery Where to get help Things to remember.
Symptoms The most important symptom in placenta previa is painless vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks. They may affect the woman, the fetus, or both and may occur at different times during the pregnancy. However, most pregnancy complications can be effectively treated.
Normally, the placenta is located in the upper part of the uterus. In placenta previa, the placenta is located in the lower part. It covers the opening of the cervix—the entrance to the birth canal. Sometimes the placenta is located near the opening of the cervix, not over it called a low-lying placenta.
Placenta previa occurs in about 1 of deliveries. Placenta previa may be visible on ultrasonography. If it does not resolve, the placenta may detach from the uterus, depriving the baby of its blood supply. Passage of the baby through the birth canal can also tear the placenta, causing severe bleeding.
Risk factors conditions that increase the risk of a disorder for placenta previa include the following:. Being pregnant with twins, triplets, or more babies multiple births Multiple Births The term multiple births refers to the presence of more than one fetus in the uterus. The number of twin, triplet, and other multiple births has been increasing during the last two decades Having a structural abnormality of the uterus, such as fibroids Fibroids A fibroid is a noncancerous tumor composed of muscle and fibrous tissue.
It is located in the uterus. Fibroids can cause pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, constipation, repeated miscarriages Having had a procedure that involves the uterus such as removal of fibroids from the uterus myomectomy Surgery for fibroids A fibroid is a noncancerous tumor composed of muscle and fibrous tissue.
If women have symptoms related to the reproductive system gynecologic Placenta previa can cause painless bleeding from the vagina that suddenly begins late in pregnancy. The doctor may do fetal heart monitoring to check your baby's condition. If your newborn is premature, your baby may be treated in a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.
Premature babies need to stay in the hospital until they can eat, breathe, and stay warm on their own. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Top of the page. Topic Overview What is placenta previa? The mother may lose a lot of blood, which can be dangerous for both her and her baby. The placenta may separate too early from the wall of the uterus. This is called abruptio placenta , and it can cause serious bleeding, too. The baby may be born too early premature , at a low birth weight, or with a birth defect. What causes placenta previa? Have had a previous C-section caesarean delivery.