PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS: PLACENTA ACCRETA

During pregnancy, a woman’s placenta attaches itself to her uterine wall and detaches after childbirth. Placenta accreta is a serious pregnancy complication that can occur when the placenta attaches itself too deeply into the uterine wall. This causes part or all of the placenta to stay firmly attached to the uterus during childbirth. Placenta accreta can result in severe bleeding after delivery.
 
Placenta accreta is considered a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication. Sometimes placenta accreta is discovered during delivery. But in many cases, women are diagnosed during pregnancy. Doctors will usually perform an early cesarean delivery and then remove the woman’s uterus, if the complication is detected before delivery.
 
What Are the Symptoms of Placenta Accreta?
Women with placenta accreta usually don’t display any signs or symptoms during pregnancy. Sometimes a doctor will detect it during a routine ultrasound.
 
But in some cases, placenta accreta causes vaginal bleeding during the third trimester (weeks 27 to 40).
 
Who Is at Risk?
• Being over the age of 35
• Placenta previa
• A placenta located in the lower part of the uterus
• Uterine abnormalities, such as scarring or uterine fibroids
• Past uterine surgery (or surgeries), such as a cesarean delivery or surgery to remove uterine fibroids

What Are the Complications?
-Premature birth
-Kidney failure
-Problems with blood clotting, or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
-Severe vaginal bleeding, which may require a blood transfusion
-Lung failure, or adult respiratory distress syndrome
There is no way to prevent placenta accreta. Your doctor will monitor your pregnancy closely to prevent any complications if you’re diagnosed with this condition.
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