Placenta previa occurs when the placenta covers the opening of a pregnant woman's cervix during the final months of pregnancy. If this happens, the mother can experience heavy bleeding before or during labor. Normally in the third trimester, the placenta should move away from the cervical opening, that is, near the top of the uterus. The goal is for the baby to have a clear path to the vagina to be born.
In this condition, the placenta instead attaches to the lower part of the uterus, thus covering part or all of the inner opening (cervical os). Pregnant women who experience this are required to rest their pelvis by not having sex, limiting obstetrical examination procedures to any activity that burdens the pelvic floor. There are several types of placenta previa, namely:
- Partial placenta previa: covering part of the cervix
- Total placenta previa: completely covers the cervix, blocking access to the vagina
Apart from bleeding, there is also a risk of high blood pressure, so the majority of sufferers need a cesarean section. Placenta previa is usually diagnosed during the second semester of pregnancy during an ultrasound examination. Placenta previa is not the same as the anterior placenta. The placenta can attach and grow anywhere in the uterus, but an anterior placenta occurs when the placenta has implanted in the front of the body.
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Placenta previa occurs when the placenta partially or completely covers the opening of the cervix
Symptom
The main symptom of placenta previa is sudden, heavy bleeding from the vagina, which is bright red and is often painless. Therefore, if you experience it, pregnant women should check their condition with a doctor to determine what causes this. Other symptoms that may also be experienced include:
- Extreme cramps or pain
- Bleeding at some point during pregnancy may occur more than once and resume several days later
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Bleeding during the second half of pregnancy
Causes and Complications
There is no definite cause why placenta previa can occur. Still, several factors can increase the risk, such as the baby's breech or transverse position, had a miscarriage, abnormal uterine shape, smoking, age over 35 years, having been pregnant several times, multiple pregnancies or more, having a history of uterine surgery (including cesarean section and curettage), and a history of uterine fibroids.
If you experience this condition, the mother and baby each have a risk. For mothers, bleeding can occur, giving birth is not enough time, blood loss resulting in anemia, placenta accreta (growing too deep in the uterine wall), and placental abruption (placenta separates from the uterus before the baby is born, thereby reducing nutrient intake and oxygen supply).
Meanwhile, the risks for the baby are premature birth, breathing problems, and low birth weight (LBW). Why can it cause bleeding? The first is because the placenta touches the cervix, which is getting thinner in the third trimester. The second is due to the tearing of the blood vessels that connect the placenta to the uterus.
Diagnosis
Early signs of placenta previa usually show up during a routine ultrasound during the 20th week of pregnancy. At this time, the location of the placenta is still low, so it's not something to worry about because, normally, the placenta will change position the following week.
The characteristics of placenta previa can also be shown when pregnant women experience bleeding during the second half of pregnancy. Therefore, doctors will usually monitor the position of the placenta with various methods such as transvaginal ultrasound, transabdominal ultrasound, or MRI to determine its location more clearly.
The condition can be diagnosed as early as 20 weeks of gestation
Treatment
Treatment for this condition is determined based on the amount of bleeding, the month of pregnancy, the health of the baby and mother, and the position of the placenta. If minimal or no bleeding occurs, pelvic rest is advised (abstaining from inserting anything into the vagina, sex, and exercise).
In heavy bleeding, the pregnant woman must rest in the hospital, and the doctor will recommend a cesarean section as soon as the gestational age is safe for birth (at least 36 weeks). However, if it has to be done sooner than that time, the baby may be given corticosteroid injections to accelerate the growth of his lungs.
If the bleeding is not controlled, a cesarean delivery must be done immediately. If placenta previa is found in the second trimester, the condition will go away on its own because the placenta will move up the uterus. The doctor will monitor the position of the placenta before giving birth.
That is an explanation of placenta previa, which is when the placenta covers part or all of the cervical opening so that it often causes bleeding. Treatment is determined based on bleeding, the month of pregnancy, the mother and baby's health, and the placenta's position. There are lots of pregnancy articles on Newfemme. Let's read them!