Why does placenta previa occur

Get in contact with other people who have been through placenta previa births. Be prepared for your cesarean delivery. Depending on the type of your placenta previa, you might not be able to have a vaginal birth. Pelvic rest is important while you are experiencing this condition.

Additionally you should not engage in any strenuous activity or heavy lifting. You can use the time wisely by catching up on small projects, such as:.

Weeks 28 through 40 bring the arrival of the third trimester. Placental abruption occurs during a pregnancy when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall too early. This can cause bleeding and complications…. Many things can cause breakthrough bleeding, or bleeding outside of your usual period cycle. Here's how to tell if it's your birth control or…. A new study finds that epidurals do not affect child development in their later years.

A fetal arrhythmia is an irregular heart rate — too fast, too slow, or otherwise outside the norm. It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal. Sharing our experiences of pregnancy and infant loss can help us heal. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Parenthood Pregnancy Placenta Previa. Symptoms associated with placenta previa. Risk factors for developing placenta previa.

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.

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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. Why the bleeding happens During the later stages of pregnancy, the bottom part of the uterus thins and spreads to accommodate the growing baby. Possible complications Some of the complications of placenta previa include: Major haemorrhage bleeding for the mother Shock from loss of blood Fetal distress from lack of oxygen Premature labour or delivery Health risks to the baby, if born prematurely Emergency caesarean delivery Hysterectomy, if the placenta fails to come away from the uterine lining Blood loss for the baby Death.

Causes and risk factors Some of the possible causes and risk factors of placenta previa include: Low implantation of the fertilised egg Abnormalities of the uterine lining, such as fibroids Scarring of the uterine lining endometrium Abnormalities of the placenta Multiple babies, such as twins Multiple pregnancies - a woman who has already had six or more deliveries has a risk of one in Diagnosis methods A pregnant woman who experiences any vaginal bleeding should be admitted to hospital and tested.

Digital vaginal examinations should be strictly avoided It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between placenta previa and placental abruption. Treatment options vary Treatment depends on a number of factors, including: Whether the placenta previa is complete or partial The exact location of the placenta The amount of blood lost The gestational age of the baby The position of the baby The health of the baby The health of the mother.

Treatment during pregnancy Medical treatment aims to ease the symptoms and prolong the pregnancy. The treatment will therefore depend on answers to the following questions:. Once placenta previa has been diagnosed, further bleeding and complications may be avoided by ensuring the mother has complete bed rest, sometimes in the hospital.

Also, pelvic examinations or any sexual activity that may lead to irritation of the cervix or the uterine walls should be avoided. Once the pregnancy comes to term, or if the bleeding is excessive, the baby will be delivered by caesarean section, especially in cases of complete placenta previa. Vaginal delivery for women with placenta previa might result in placental tear and hemorrhage, putting the mother and the baby at risk.

Vaginal delivery may be possible for a woman with a low-lying placenta. With early and more accurate diagnosis of placenta previa, this condition is no longer as big a threat to the mother and the baby as it historically was. The biggest danger remains premature delivery of the baby because of the heavy bleeding.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www. Placenta Previa. About this Condition. The Facts The placenta is a bed of cells formed inside the uterus womb during pregnancy.