Placenta Previa

With the excitement that surrounds a pregnancy also comes the need to address certain risks that the anatomy of a female is exposed to. During pregnancy, the body goes through a lot of ‘accommodating’ changes that not only tip the balance of the hormones, but also cause stress on certain organs. Placenta Previa is one such condition. It is a condition where the placenta lies unusually low in the uterus. The placenta, in this condition, lies adjacent to or covers the cervix. Placenta Previa is a problem that needs to be addressed and taken care of during the early pregnancy stages, once diagnosed.

The placenta is an organ that is pancake-like in shape and is located above the uterus. The function of the organ is to supply the fetus with the required nutrients in course of the pregnancy. This functionality of the placenta is facilitated through the umbilical cord that acts like the connecting tube. Placenta Previa is not a problem during the early pregnancy stages, as the one it becomes later. However, if the condition is allowed to persist into the later pregnancy stages, then it can result in bleeding and pre mature delivery and other related complications. If the condition of Placenta Previa is diagnosed just prior to deliver, the baby has to be delivered via caesarean or the c-section.

In a condition of Placenta Previa, where the placenta covers the cervix completely, it is medically referred to as ‘Complete Placenta Previa’ or ‘Total Placenta Previa’. If the condition is diagnosed on the border of the cervix, then it is clinically referred to as ‘Marginal Placenta Previa’. In the case of ‘Partial Placenta Previa’, the placenta covers a part of the cervical opening on dilating. Another condition of Placenta Previa is when the edge of the placenta is within two centimeters of the cervix, not yet bordering it. This condition is referred to as ‘Low-lying Placenta Previa’. The condition and location of the placenta is usually checked mid term, through the ultra sound examination conducted.

Depending on the term during the pregnancy, as the pregnancy progresses, the placenta usually moves away from the cervix. On account of the location of the placenta it’s being implanted in the uterus, it simply relocates further from the cervix as the uterus expands. It is important to note, before striking the panic button, that only about 10% women diagnosed with the condition mid pregnancy have it when delivering the baby. ‘Complete Placenta Previa’ is more likely to stay through the term than ‘Marginal Placenta Previa’ or ‘Low-lying Placenta Previa’. It is very important, if clinically diagnosed with the condition, to understand the condition and follow the advice given by your gynecologist.

In a condition where Placenta Previa is discovered at a later stage in the pregnancy, the placenta is still likely to move away from the cervix. However, it is true that the later the condition is diagnosed, the less likely is the desired ‘moving away’ going to happen. For this, you need to keep to your in-term prescribed medication, gynecologist visits and ultra sound and other tests. In the likeliness of Placenta Previa, you would have to indulge in a follow-up ultrasound test, early the beginning of the third trimester. This is done to get a clear picture of the location of the placenta and movement, if any. In the case of vaginal bleeding, in-term, it is necessary to first consult your gynecologist and subsequently have an ultrasound conducted to find out the present condition that could have resulted in the bleeding. It is very important to educate yourself on the condition and its implications. You should be aware of the fact that the medical fraternity does have an option for ‘normal’ delivery in case of Placenta Previa. The caesarean or the c-section subsequently performed is done keeping the baby’s and your health and well being in mind. However, being well informed and regular with medical check-ups helps keep complications at bay.