Loading icon
Health Information Center

Placenta Previa

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Placenta Previa

Definition

The placenta is an organ that provides oxygen and nutrition to a baby in the womb. It also removes wastes from the baby. Placenta previa is when this organ covers part or all of the cervix that the baby must pass through to be born.

Placenta Previa.

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Nucleus factsheet imagehttp://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=73317331si55550962.jpgsi55550962.jpgNULLjpgsi55550962.jpgNULL\\hgfiler01a\intellect\images\si55550962.jpgNULL11NULL2008-11-072813907331_1524Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

The cause is not known. It may be due to problems with how the placenta implants due to injury to the lining of the uterus and scarring from:

  • Multiple prior pregnancies
  • Prior placenta previa
  • Prior cesarean delivery (C-section)
  • Surgery to the lining of the uterus or to remove uterine fibroids
  • Fertility treatments

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:

  • Prior cesarean delivery
  • Prior abortion
  • Being pregnant with a male fetus
  • Smoking or cocaine use in the mother

Symptoms

Symptoms differ from person to person. It depends on how much of the cervix is covered. The main sign is painless bleeding from the birth canal. It can range from light to heavy. It most often happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy, usually after sex.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. An ultrasound will be done. This can confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to manage the bleeding and give the baby time to grow. How this is done will depend on the amount of bleeding a person has and how many weeks of pregnancy have passed. Options are:

  • Monitoring the placenta for changes
  • Pelvic rest—not having sex or using tampons
  • Medicines to put off labor and give the fetus time to grow

A C-section will be needed to deliver the baby if the placenta covers the cervix, there is heavy bleeding during labor, or other health problems happen.

Prevention

There are no known ways to prevent this health problem.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Placenta previa. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-complications/placenta-previa.
  • Placenta previa. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/placenta-previa. Accessed May 9, 2022.
  • Pregnancy complications. Office on Women's Health website. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/pregnancy-complications.

Contributors

  • Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated:
2023-03-29

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.