Placenta Previa Information
- By:Juliet Cohen
Placenta previa is not usually a problem early in pregnancy. Placenta previa is the most common cause of painless bleeding in the third trimester of pregnancy. It may cause serious morbidity and mortality to both the fetus and the mother. It is one of the leading causes of vaginal bleeding in the second and third trimesters.
Placenta previa, the implantation of the placenta at least partially covering the cervix, occurs in about one in 200 pregnancies. There are actually three types of previa. Placenta previa complicates approximately 5 of 1,000 deliveries and has a mortality rate of 0.03%. The risk increases with each pregnancy, especially in women who have had six or more deliveries. The rate of placenta previa is also higher in women who are carrying more than one baby (multiple pregnancy).
There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing placenta previa. Cigarette smoking, which is strongly linked to 1 of every 4 previas.1 Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen transferred to the fetus, thereby restorative the growth of a larger placenta, which is more likely to grow low into the uterus. Cocaine or crack cocaine use during pregnancy. 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. Placenta previa occurs in 1 in 1,500 first-time pregnancies. In women who have had five or more pregnancies, this increases to about 5 in 100. Early in pregnancy, the placenta may implant in the lower part of the uterus.
Treatment for placenta previa depends on how much you are bleeding and whether your fetus is mature enough to survive early delivery. Cesarean section is the delivery method for placenta previa. It is the most important way to reduce mother and infant death rates. If the bleeding is severe, you may need a blood transfusion to replace lost blood. You may also need medications to prevent premature labor. If the fetus is reasonably mature (ie, >37 weeks' gestation) and the patient is in labor or if severe hemorrhage is present, therapy is directed at the delivery of the fetus. A trial of labor may be considered for anterior marginal previa, including oxytocin (Pitocin) augmentation. Avoid all strenuous activities, such as running or lifting. Avoid intercourse.
Placenta Previa Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Avoid all strenuous activities, such as running or lifting.
2. Cesarean section is the delivery method for placenta previa.
3. Avoid inserting anything, such as tampons or vaginal douches, into the vagina.
4. With a bleeding previa, it is important that you avoid sexual intercourse.
5. You will be given Rh immune globulin in case your fetus has Rh-positive blood.
6. If you have labor contractions, you may be given tocolytic medication to slow or stop the contractions.About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Diseases. She also writes articles for Makeup and Hairstyles.