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Parentpedia
Placental Complications
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The placenta is a pretty nifty organ. It connects to your blood supply to deliver nutrition and oxygen to your baby and it takes waste products from your baby to your blood, which is then filtered by your kidneys. In a normal pregnancy your placenta does it's job pretty quietly and is delivered after your baby is born. But sometimes there are problems.
These complications are uncommon, but because of the importance of the placenta to your fetus' development, it's important to be aware of them.
Placental problems are usually diagnosed via ultrasound.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa means that your placenta is lying across or very near your cervix. If the placenta remains across your cervix when you go into labor, you'll need a Cesarean section since your baby's way out will be blocked and severe bleeding could result. It occurs in 4 in one 1000 pregnancies.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption describes when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus. If it is severe, it can put your baby in great danger by depriving her of nutrients and oxygen. It can also cause severe blood loss for you. Placental abruption occurs in about 1 in 75 to 1 in 226 deliveries.
Placenta Accreta
Very rarely (1 in 533 deliveries), the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall. It often detaches on its own, but if it stays attached after childbirth, the mother is at great risk of hemorrhaging and will require surgery. This condition is very difficult to diagnose before birth, though it sometimes leads to vaginal bleeding in the third trimester.
Safety Notes
- If you experience any bleeding during your pregnancy, you should call your doctor or midwife immediately.
- Michele Isaacs Gliksman, in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth," warns that smokers are at increased risk of developing placental problems. With each pack they smoke, smokers increase their risk by 40%.
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