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Risks of a Low Lying Placenta

When a woman is pregnant, the placenta is the organ that feeds the growing fetus. Under normal circumstances, the placenta is attached to the inside wall on the top of the uterus or to the side. A low lying placenta, or placenta previa, is on the bottom of the uterus, covering the cervix or opening. Placenta previa can lead to other problems such as the placenta tearing away from the uterine wall which can lead to excessive bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.

  1. Bleeding

    • In the last trimester of pregnancy the cervix thins slightly to prepare the body for delivery. If the placenta is covering the cervix, bleeding can occur as the cervix disrupts the cells in the placenta. While the bleeding may be painless, you will most likely be hospitalized, especially if the bleeding is heavy. You may need a transfusion if you lose a lot of blood and in some cases you may need to deliver the baby if the bleeding doesn't stop.

    Early Delivery and Cesarean Section

    • If you're forced into an early delivery due to heavy bleeding, the baby's lungs may be underdeveloped. Premature babies also face problems such as a low birth weight. In some cases, an infant can die if delivered too early, according to Dr. Linda Vorvick at PubMed of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. A low lying placenta means you will need a Cesarean section to deliver the baby, instead of delivering him vaginally, especially if the placenta completely covers the cervix.

    Placenta Abruptio

    • In some cases placenta previa can cause placenta abruptio, which means that the placenta has detached from the wall of the uterus. Placental abruption can cause the fetus to lose a lot of blood, which can lead to death. Usually, abruption is treated with intravenous fluids and blood transfusions. If the mother experiences a lot of bleeding during delivery, she may need to have the uterus removed. The sooner the condition is discovered, the more likely the mother and baby will be well.

    Placenta Accreta

    • Placenta previa can also lead to placenta accreta, which happens when the placenta is embedded deeply into the uterine wall. Between five and 10 percent of women with placenta previa also have placenta accreta, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Placenta accreta can cause bleeding during birth, which may require blood transfusions or a hysterectomy. Since the placenta is embedded into the uterus, removing it can cause damage to the uterus.

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