Placenta Previa

What is placenta previa?

When you’re pregnant, the placenta is the structure that attaches to the wall of your uterus and connects to your baby through the umbilical cord. The placenta provides your baby with oxygen and nutrients and removes waste.

Most of the time, the placenta attaches to the upper part of your uterus so the cervix is clear. Placenta previa happens when the placenta partially or completely blocks the cervix. This can cause severe vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.

Who gets placenta previa?

Placenta previa affects about 1 out of every 200 women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing placenta previa, such as:

• Carrying twins or other multiples

• Having a history of placenta previa

• Having had a previous baby

Having scar tissue on your uterus, such as from a previous Cesarean section or uterine fibroid removal, can also increase your risk of placenta previa.

How do I know if I have placenta previa?

The primary sign of placenta previa is bright red bleeding (spotting) without pain during the third trimester of your pregnancy. In some cases, women also have contractions with spotting.

Dr. Davidson may also discover a low-positioned placenta during an ultrasound. If you’re at higher risk of placenta previa or other pregnancy complications, you may need more ultrasounds and other prenatal tests than routine pregnancies require.

With Trice Imaging services, Dr. Davidson can easily send ultrasound images to your other medical subspecialists for consistent, collaborative care.

What should I do if I have placenta previa?

If you or your obstetrician suspect you have placenta previa, Dr. Davidson can help. She specializes in working with women who have placenta previa and other pregnancy risk factors.

There’s no cure for placenta previa, but Dr. Davidson works with you to control the bleeding and protect the health of you and your baby.

Before she develops a personalized treatment plan, Dr. Davidson first assesses your condition with a physical exam. The treatment she recommends depends on unique factors such as:

• How far along you are in pregnancy

• How heavy the bleeding is

• The position of the placenta and your baby

• The overall health of you and your baby

The goal of treatment is to get you as close as possible to your due date without risk of complications. In some cases, placenta previa resolves on its own before delivery. Other times, Dr. Davidson may recommend a Cesarean section to safely deliver your baby.

For expert care in managing placenta previa, call Signature Perinatal Center or book an appointment online today.