www.miamiobgyns.com/blog/diagnosed-placenta-previa/ If you’ve been diagnosed with Placenta Previa you are sure to have many questions about the causes, risks and treatments. Here’s what to expect...

1. What to Expect if You’ve Been
Diagnosed with Placenta Previa
Get in touch:
(305) 615-6147
info@miamiobgyns.com
www.miamiobgyns.com

2. Introduction
Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time for
expectant parents!
A new life, full of dreams and aspiration!
But with this excitement can come anxiety about
the unknown, even if it’s not your first
pregnancy.

3. Introduction
What’s “normal”, potential complications and the
sudden input of everyone around you can get
overwhelming… add to that, a diagnosis you
don’t know much about and things can get even
more confusing!

4. Introduction
If you’ve been diagnosed with Placenta Previa
you are sure to have many questions about the
causes, risks and treatments.
Here’s what to expect:

5. What exactly is the placenta?
The placenta is a nourishing network of blood
vessels, implanted in the lining of the uterus
when a woman becomes pregnant.
The umbilical cord is the channel between the
developing fetus and the placenta and through it,
an exchange of nutrients takes place across the
vessels.

6. What exactly is the placenta?
A baby’s waste products are also passed across
the vessel network so that it can be removed via
the mother’s body.

7. What is Placenta Previa?
While placental displacement is usual to be seen
in early ultrasounds, by the third trimester the
placenta moves further up the uterine wall,
clearing the cervix for delivery.
In some cases the placenta remains too low
covering the opening of the birth canal and
cervix.
This condition is called Placenta Previa.

8. What causes this condition?
Common causes of this condition are:
• Smoking
• Pregnancy at an “older” age and women with
previous cases of this condition are at higher
risk for developing Placenta Previa.

9. What causes this condition?
• Women who have had previous cesarean
sections are also at a higher risk because there
is a chance of internal scarring whenever you
have surgical intervention.
• Scarring on the inside of the uterus may
explain why the placenta moves lower.

10. Subcategories
Within this diagnosis, there are three
subcategories:
• Low-lying: the placenta is very close to the
cervix but doesn’t cover it.
• Partial: a portion of the cervical opening is
covered by the placenta
• Complete: the position of the placenta
completely covers the cervical opening.

11. What are the concerns and risks?
This can create concerns that should be
addressed with your doctor, including
hemorrhaging during or before delivery, which
compromises the health of both the mother and
baby.
In most cases a cesarean section will be
recommended.

12. How is it found?
Placenta Previa is determined via an ultrasound
in the later trimesters of pregnancy, if it does
occur your doctor will discuss your birthing
options so that you and your baby will have a
safe delivery.

13. Get in touch:
(305) 615-6147
info@miamiobgyns.com
www.miamiobgyns.com