Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta is low lying and may partly or fully cover the cervix. According to Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, placenta previa occurs in 1 out of 200 pregnancies. If you are diagnosed with a previa, it is important to know into which category you fall. There are three degrees of placenta previa which include marginal, partial or full previa, depending on the placement of the placenta and how much of the cervix it covers. A pregnancy diagnosed with placenta previa may be at higher risk for certain complications.
Bleeding
One of the biggest concerns with placenta previa is the risk of severe vaginal bleeding (hemorrhage) during labor, delivery or the first few hours after delivery, reports the Mayo Clinic. A classic symptom of previa is painless vaginal bleeding which occurs sometime toward the end of the second trimester into the third trimester. The bleeding may be intermittent, it may stop for a period of time and then restart. Any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should be reported to your obstetrician. Blood transfusion may be indicated when there is a severe loss of blood.
Premature Birth
In cases in which bleeding becomes severe and poses a risk to the mother and fetus, an early cesarean section may need to be performed to deliver the baby. Babies born prematurely have a higher risk of respiratory distress, feeding difficulties and developmental delays. You may be placed on bed rest when diagnosed with placenta previa to prolong the pregnancy as long as possible.
Placenta Acreta
If the placenta implants too deeply and firmly into the uterine wall, the placenta may not spontaneously detach from the uterus after delivery---an uncommon condition known as placenta accreta, says the Mayo Clinic. A hysterectomy may be indicated with a severe placenta acreta.
