What Expectant Mums Should Know About Placenta Previa

Complications Associated With Placenta Previa

Placenta previa is a serious condition that can be life-threatening for both the expectant mother and her unborn child. Complications associated with placenta previa include major haemorrhage for the mother, shock from blood loss, fatal distress from oxygen deprivation, premature labour and delivery, health risks associated with premature birth, emergency caesarean delivery, blood loss for the baby, and death. If the placenta doesn’t come away from the uterine lining, placenta previa can also result in a hysterectomy.

Treatment

The main aim with treating placenta previa is to ease the symptoms of the condition, and prolong to pregnancy in order to give the baby the best chance at survival. Most doctors aim to keep the baby in the womb until at least 36 weeks. The kind of treatment that your doctor recommends if you’re suffering with placenta previa will depend on where the placenta is located, how much blood you have lost, how old your child is and in what position they are sitting in, and the health of both the mother and child.

Treatment options include hospitalisation, bed rest, blood transfusions for the mother, activity avoidance, and very close monitoring.

Delivering The Baby

When doctors believe the baby is developed enough to be delivered, women with placenta previa usually have to undergo a caesarean section as vaginal birth is not an option. Prior to this, expectant mums will go through a number of tests to check blood cell counts and clotting ability. Following the procedure, babies often have to be monitored in intensive care.

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice.

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information.  All information provided is correct at time of publication.