Placenta praevia

A condition in pregnancy where the placenta partially or wholly blocks the cervix.

Placenta Praevia

Diagram showing placenta praevia

Placenta praevia is a condition in pregnancy where the placenta is abnormally positioned in the uterus, covering the cervix either partially or completely. This can lead to complications during childbirth, as the placenta may obstruct the passage of the baby through the birth canal.

Types

Placenta praevia is classified into several types based on the degree to which the placenta covers the cervix:

• Complete placenta praevia: The placenta completely covers the cervical opening.
• Partial placenta praevia: The placenta partially covers the cervix.
• Marginal placenta praevia: The placenta is at the edge of the cervix but does not cover it.
• Low-lying placenta: The placenta is positioned low in the uterus but does not reach the cervix.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of placenta praevia is painless vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. The bleeding can vary in severity and may occur suddenly.

Diagnosis

Placenta praevia is typically diagnosed through ultrasound imaging. A transvaginal ultrasound may be used for a more accurate assessment of the placenta's position.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of developing placenta praevia, including:

• Previous cesarean section
• Multiple pregnancies
• Advanced maternal age
• Smoking
• Previous placenta praevia

Management

Management of placenta praevia depends on the severity of the condition and the stage of pregnancy. Options include:

• Observation: In cases where the bleeding is minimal and the pregnancy is not yet full-term, careful monitoring may be sufficient.
• Hospitalization: For more severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to manage bleeding and monitor the health of the mother and baby.
• Cesarean delivery: If the placenta completely covers the cervix, a cesarean section is usually required to safely deliver the baby.

Complications

Placenta praevia can lead to several complications, including:

• Preterm birth
• Hemorrhage
• Placental abruption
• Increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage

Related pages

• Pregnancy
• Placenta
• Cesarean section
• Vaginal bleeding