Asked by
puja sahani
in
Personal Health
at
4:35 PM on June 26, 2008
keerthi's Answer
Placenta previa, the implantation of the placenta at least partially covering the cervix, occurs in about one in 200 pregnancies.
True placenta previa at term is very serious. Complications for the baby include:
Problems for the baby, secondary to acute blood loss
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to poor placental perfusion
Increased incidence of congenital anomalies
Risks for the mother include:
Life-threatening hemorrhage
Cesarean delivery
Increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage
Increased risk placenta accreta (Placenta accreta is where the placenta attaches directly to the uterine muscle.)
Placenta previa, once diagnosed, will usually mean bed rest for the mother, frequently in the hospital. Depending on the gestational age steroid shots may be given to help mature the baby's lungs. If the bleeding cannot be controlled immediate cesarean delivery is usually done, regardless of the length of the pregnancy. Some marginal previas can be delivered without cesarean surgery, the other types of placenta previa preclude vaginal delivery.
Answered at
4:08 PM on June 27, 2008
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