Placenta Previa can be a scary diagnosis. But with a little research, you can better understand it and what you can do about it.
Each OB appointment during pregnancy is a mixture of excitement and anticipation. The majority of the time, women return home with good news and sometimes a little sonogram photo. But for 1 in every 200 pregnancies, a diagnosis of Placenta Previa can turn what was supposed to be a routine appointment into an anxiety-ridden nightmare. This week we’re talking about what exactly Placenta Previa is, and ways to cope after a diagnosis.
We all know the placenta is the structure inside your uterus that provides oxygen, nutrition, and waste removal for your baby. The baby is connected through the umbilical cord, and in most pregnancies, the placenta is attached to the top or side of the uterus. Placenta Previa is diagnosed when the placenta partially or totally covers the cervix.
PP causes severe bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. Some Placenta Previa will resolve themselves, but if not, you will need to deliver your baby via cesarean section.
Bleeding occurs in 70-80% of women with Placenta Previa, and is the primary symptom. Most bleeding begins after the 20th week of gestation. The bleeding can range from light to severe, and is usually painless, though it can be associated with uterine contractions and abdominal pain.
Sadly, there are no full treatment options for Placenta Previa, only management options. Your management options depend on varying factors that include the wellbeing of the mother and fetus, the amount of blood loss, the degree of placenta previa, and the gestational age. The goal of every provider to delay delivery as long as possible without increasing risk to the fetus. During this time, your medical provider may ask you to do some of the following:
If you are diagnosed with Placenta Previa, it’s okay to feel worried, scared, or confused. But, there are strategies to help cope with a diagnosis.
The medical professionals at Miami Center of Excellence are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about Placenta Previa, or any other pregnancy concern. Contact us by phone or online.