can anyone give me info on placenta previa?

Question

i just found out that my placenta is right over my cervics. i'm only 15 weeks. i need all the info i can get.

when i ask my doctor about it she told me that it was right over cervix. so it is not low lying/ she also told me ask i get bigger it might move.

Answer 1

Placenta previa means a placenta that is sited on the lower segment of the uterus in the later stages of the pregnancy.

Strictly speaking, if you are only 15 weeks pregnant, you cannot have placenta previa. What you have is just a low lying placenta, which is extremely extremely extremely common at this stage. I will not usually even mention it to the mother at this gestation.

However if you still have a low lying placenta in the 3rd trimester, which at this stage is known as placenta previa, you may need a caesarean section to deliver the baby. Your doctor will be able to advise you on that in due course.

Answer 2

There is a lot of info already here. A couple of tidbits. It occurs shortly after conception but problems don't usually arise until later in pregnancy. This is your babys life line. It will get its nourishment and rid its self of waste through the umbilical cord and placenta. Where the placenta attaches is the problem. Typically its high in the uterus but with previa its near or completely covering the cervix. It means you are in for a high risk pregnancy. You have to watch for bleeding, stop smoking and stay away from second hand smoke. You don't want your baby deprived of O2. I would say you need to be just about bed bound. Watch for symptoms of early labor, you could rapidly bleed out or lose your baby if the placenta separates from the uterus. Good luck and God bless. If you have placenta previa, your treatment will depend upon:

How much you are bleeding, which influences whether you are monitored as an outpatient or in the hospital, whether you need a blood transfusion, and when delivery is necessary.
Your overall physical condition, such as whether you've lost blood and are anemic.
Your fetus's overall maturity and physical condition. Whenever possible, delivery is delayed until fetal lungs are mature.
How much of your cervix is covered by the placenta. Because a vaginal delivery is likely to cause heavy placental bleeding, a cesarean is used for placenta previa deliveries.
If you have placenta previa and are not bleeding, it is important to follow certain precautions:

Avoid all strenuous activities, such as running or lifting more than approximately 20lb (9.1kg).
See your doctor immediately if you have any bleeding.
Have a phone nearby at all times.
Advise all health professionals who examine you that you must not have pelvic examinations.
Refrain from sexual intercourse after 28 weeks of pregnancy; before 28 weeks, ask your health professional about any possible risks.
Avoid inserting anything, such as tampons or vaginal douches, into the vagina.
Be close to a hospital that can provide emergency care for both you and a sick or premature infant.

Answer 3

I'll try to give you all the info I can. I was about 3 and a half months pregnant with twins when I was first diagnosed with placenta previa.
Usually this occurs in pregnancies during the third trimester but is not always the case. Basically, it's when the placenta disconnect and is able to float all over the place. This endangers the baby because he/she needs the placenta for nutrients.
My case wasn't sucessful. I ended up losing my angels because of other complications that occured. There is no medication that can help. Your doctor probably put you on strict bedrest. My advice....FOLLOW IT! Don't get out of the bed unless you have to.
On a brighter note, My best friend just gave birth to my second godchild in March. She was also diagnosed with placenta previa and she now has a beautiful baby boy. Every case is different and as long as you take it slow and easy, the placenta should re attach itself.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Answer 4

Placenta praevia (placenta previa AE) is an obstetric complication that can occur in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It is a leading cause of antepartum haemorrhage (vaginal bleeding) and is characterised by the implantation of the placenta over or near the top of the cervix. It affects approximately 0.5% of all labours.


more details at site.

Answer 5

I have had it since 15 weeks and I am now 25 weeks. You will need a C Section if it doesn't resolve and you will need to deliver a little bit early (not the full 40 weeks-closer to 38 weeks.) It also puts you at a higher risk for Placenta Abruption which I was diagnosed with at 22 weeks. If you have any cramping definitely call your OB and inform them. Good luck!

Answer 6

Placenta praevia (placenta previa AE) is an obstetric complication that can occur in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It is a leading cause of antepartum haemorrhage (vaginal bleeding) and is characterised by the implantation of the placenta over or near the top of the cervix. It affects approximately 0.5% of all labours.

Pathophysiology
No specific cause of placenta praevia has yet been found but it is hypothesized to be related to abnormal vascularisation of the endometrium caused by scarring or atrophy from previous trauma, surgery, or infection.

In the last trimester of pregnancy the isthmus of the uterus unfolds and forms the lower segment. In a normal pregnancy the placenta does not overlie it, so there is no bleeding. If the placenta does overlie the lower segment, it may sheer off and a small section may bleed.

Women with placenta praevia often present with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. This bleeding often starts mildly and may increase as the area of placental separation increases. Praevia should be suspected if there is bleeding after 24 weeks of gestation. Abdominal examination usually finds the uterus non-tender and relaxed. Leopold's manoeuvres may find the fetus in an oblique or breech position or lying transverse because the abnormal position of the placenta. Praevia can be confirmed with an ultrasound. In parts of the world where an ultrasound not available, it is not uncommon to confirm the diagnosis with an examination in the surgical theatre.

The proper timing of an examination in theatre is important. If the woman is not bleeding severely you can manage her non-operatively until the 36th week. By this time the baby's chance of survival is as good as at full term.

Placenta praevia is classified according to the placement of the placenta:

Type I or low lying: The placenta encroaches the lower segment of the uterus but does not infringe on the cervical os.
Type II or marginal: The placenta touches, but does not cover, the top of the cervix.
Type III or partial: The placenta partially covers the top of the cervix.
Type IV or complete: The placenta completely covers the top of the cervix. This type of praevia often will not bleed until labour starts.
Placenta praevia is itself a risk factor of placenta accreta.

[edit]
Risk factors
The following have been identified as risk factors for placenta praevia:

Previous placenta praevia, caesarean delivery, or abortion.
Women who have had previous pregnancies, especially a large number of closely spaced pregnancies, are at higher risk.
Women who are younger than 20 are at higher risk and women older than 30 are at increasing risk as they get older.
Women with a large placentae from twins or erythroblastosis are at higher risk.
Women who smoke or use cocaine may be at higher risk.
Race is a controversial risk factor, with some studies finding minorities at higher risk and others finding no difference.
[edit]
Intervention
An initial assessment to determine the status of the mother and fetus is required. Although mothers used to be treated in the hospital from the first bleeding episode until birth, it is now considered safe to treat placenta praevia on an outpatient basis if the fetus is at less than 37 weeks of gestation, and neither the mother or the fetus are in distress.

Immediate delivery of the fetus may be indicated if the fetus is mature or if the fetus or mother are in distress. Blood volume replacement (to maintain blood pressure) and blood plasma replacement (to maintain fibrinogen levels) may be necessary.

It is controversial if vaginal delivery or a Ceasarean section is the safest method of delivery. In cases of fetal distress a Ceasarean section is indicated. Caesarian section is contraindicated in cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

A problem exists in places where a Ceasarean section cannot be performed, due to the lack of a surgeon or equipment. In these cases the infant can be delivered vaginally. There are two ways of doing this with a placenta praevia:

The baby's head can be brought down to the placental site (if necessary with Willet's forceps or a vulsellum) and a weight attached to his scalp
A leg can be brought down and the baby's buttocks used to compress the placental site
The goal of this type of delivery is to save the mother, and both methods will often kill the baby. These methods were used for many years before Ceasarean section saved the lives of both mothers and babies with this condition.

The main risk with a vaginal delivery with a praevia is that as you are trying to bring down the head or a leg, you might separate more of the placenta and increase the bleeding.

Placenta praevia increases the risk of puerperal sepsis and postpartum haemorrhage because the lower segment to which the placenta was attached contracts less well post-delivery.

Answer 7

It means that your placenta is convering your cervix. You will probably need a c-section because you can't deliver the placenta first. Confirm with your Dr

Answer 8

I had it. Sweetie be very, very careful. STAY AWAY FROM INTERCOURSE. Its serious. You could carry full term and you will need a c-section. Just be craeful. If you have any problems call your doctor right away, DONT IGNORE ANYTHING! I lost my baby at 18 weeks due to this. Take it easy, lots of rest and minimal physical activity. If you start to spot go to the ER right away.

Answer 9

its a complication seen in the secons and third trimesters. Your probably too early for it.

however talk to your Doc. Here is a link for more info..

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/placentaprevia.html

Answer 10

It means you will have to have a C-section, I think. Talk to your doctor.