Placenta previa: symptoms, causes, and treatment options

What is placenta previa?

Placenta previa is a pregnancy complication that occurs when the placenta is in the lower part of the uterus.

As a result, this condition can result in part or all of the cervix (cervix) closed, making it difficult to prepare for birth.

The placenta, or what is often referred to as the placenta, is a lining of organs that develops in the uterus during pregnancy.

The placenta is directly related to the mother's umbilical cord and acts as a provider of oxygen and nutrition for the fetus.

Not only that, this sac-like layer is also in charge of removing waste substances that are no longer needed by the fetus.

Under normal conditions, the placement of the placenta should be at the top or side of the uterus, not below.

Meanwhile, the position of the placenta in this condition actually covers part or all of the cervix which should serve as a birth canal.

The placenta that closes the cervical canal is at risk of causing heavy bleeding before or during the labor process.

That is why most pregnant women who have this condition are usually advised to give birth by caesarean section (C-section).

What are the types of placenta previa?

There are several types of placenta previa that influence the decision on the later method of delivery and its treatment. The following conditions can occur:

1. Part (partial)

As the name implies, partial placenta previa is the position of the placenta that covers part of the cervix or the birth canal for the delivery of the baby.

In this case, vaginal delivery is still possible because there is still little room for the baby to be born.

2. Low (low-lying)

This type of placenta previa usually occurs from the early to mid-pregnancy period. The position of the placenta is generally on the side or edge of the cervix (cervix) so that it still has the possibility to give birth normally.

3. Marginal

Marginal placenta previa is a condition when the placenta is located at the bottom or end of the uterus. The placenta will usually put a little pressure on the cervix, but it will not cover it.

If you experience this, you may still have a chance of having a vaginal delivery. It's just that, usually a little bleeding will appear lightly because the placenta is in contact with the cervix.

4.Total (major)

Total placenta previa is the position of the placenta that covers the entire cervix (cervix). Compared to several previous types, this one condition is the most serious.

Therefore, doctors usually recommend pregnant women to undergo childbirth procedures caesarean section.

In fact, not infrequently, a baby in the womb inevitably has to be born prematurely if the condition of placenta previa is very dangerous.

But regardless of type, all bleeding is heavy and severe because this condition requires immediate treatment. The goal is of course to protect the condition of both mother and baby.

How common is placenta previa?

This pregnancy complication occurs in 1 in 200 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy.

You can reduce your chances of developing this condition by finding out what risk factors you have. Consult your doctor for more information.

Can you get pregnant again after experiencing this condition?

If you have a previous history of placenta previa, you still have a 2-3 percent chance of having this condition again in the next pregnancy.

The risk is even greater if you previously had a C-section and uterine surgery such as curettage or removal of fibroids.

But take it easy, the hope of getting pregnant again after placenta previa will still exist. If you want a normal delivery, it's best not to rush it.

Give a gap of about 18-24 months before trying to get pregnant again. This time lag is needed for the uterus to return to normal work again.

Signs and symptoms of placenta previa

Launching from the Mayo Clinic, placenta previa is a condition characterized by various symptoms such as:

Cramps or severe pain in the uterus.
Bleeding appears which then stops but can recur in a few days or weeks later.
Bleeding appears after sexual intercourse.
Bleeding appears during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Symptoms of the placenta covering the cervix are not too dangerous if you realize it early in the pregnancy. N

amun if not immediately detected, the size of the uterus will gradually get bigger.

Automatically, the distance between the placenta and the cervix (cervix) will be even wider, aka the more it is covered by the placenta.

The wider the area of the cervix covered by the placenta, the less likely it is to be healed.

You may not know for sure if it turns out that the placenta is not in the position it should be, until then the doctor checks it through an ultrasound examination.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns, you should immediately consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult a doctor.

The health condition of each person's body is different. Always consult a doctor in order to get the best treatment for placenta previa.

Causes of placenta previa

Researchers do not know for sure the cause of the placenta blocking the birth canal, but citing the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford website, of the most common cases of placenta previa, it is caused by:

Abnormalities in the lining of the uterus such as fibroids
Have scar tissue on the lining of the uterus (endometrium)
Abnormalities in the placenta

The above are the causes of placenta previa, but it does not rule out that there are other causes that are not yet known.

Factors that increase the risk of placenta previa

The various risk factors that increase your chances of developing placenta previa are:

Active smoker.
Are over 35 years of age.
Abnormal uterine shape.
Breech baby position (the position of the baby's bottom is below, and head up) or transverse (lying in a horizontal position in the womb).
Have had a miscarriage in a previous pregnancy.
Are pregnant with twins.
Large placenta.
Have given birth before.
Have a wound on the lining of the uterus due to surgery that involves the uterus (abortion, c-section, curettage).
Injury to the lining of the uterus from surgery, cesarean section, previous pregnancy, or abortion.
Have been diagnosed with placenta previa before.

If you experience one or more of the risk factors above, consult your doctor further.

Diagnosis of placenta previa

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

Placenta previa is a condition that can be diagnosed through an ultrasound or ultrasound procedure.

Generally, the first signs of a problem with the placenta will appear during routine ultrasound examinations around the 20th week of pregnancy. Or at the very least, during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Actually this is a condition that is not too cause for concern because the placenta can indeed be in the lower part of the uterus in early pregnancy.

Of the most cases that show the position of the placenta under the uterus, only about 10 percent develop placenta previa.

But don't worry, some pregnant women who are diagnosed with placenta previa in early pregnancy can usually be cured immediately.

While other pregnant women, just declared to have placenta previa is a condition when experiencing painless bleeding from the vagina.

Bleeding usually only appears during the third trimester or sometimes in the second trimester of pregnancy.

If you later experience bleeding during the second trimester of pregnancy, your doctor will monitor the placenta using one or a combination of two methods, namely:

Transvaginal ultrasound (inserting a probe stick about 2-3 inches long into the vagina).
Abdominal or abdominal ultrasound (an examination done through the outside of the abdomen).
MRI (uses magnetic technology and radio waves to see conditions in the body).

The method above is an examination option to see the condition of the placenta.

What is the treatment for placenta previa?

The doctor will determine the treatment for placenta previa depending on several factors, such as:

The amount of bleeding
Has stopped bleeding or not
Gestational age
Health condition of mother and baby
The location of the placenta in the uterus

However, of all the placenta previa factors, one of the biggest considerations for doctors is the amount of bleeding that comes out.

1. Little or no bleeding

If you are diagnosed with placenta previa but no bleeding or very little discharge, you are advised to get plenty of rest.

Occasionally you may stand or sit, but only when it is needed.

On the other hand, you will also be asked to avoid doing various activities that can trigger bleeding.

Starting from sports to having sex. Seek medical help immediately if bleeding suddenly occurs, whether a lot or a little.

You still have a chance of having a normal delivery if the placenta previa does not cover the cervix completely.

Please discuss further with your doctor to determine the best delivery procedure for you.

2. Heavy bleeding

Severe and severe cases of bleeding require immediate medical care, even to the point of being hospitalized.

How much blood you lose determines whether or not you need a blood transfusion.

In the case of placenta previa bleeding that is already classified as very much, the doctor may recommend a caesarean delivery method at 36 weeks of gestation.

Not without reason, this is so that the baby in the womb can be born smoothly. However, your delivery schedule may advance earlier if heavy bleeding continues.

3. The bleeding doesn't stop

If the bleeding can no longer be controlled, it is feared that the baby will be in danger that can be life threatening.

Like it or not, delivery by caesarean section should be done as soon as possible because of the condition of the placenta previa.

Home remedies that can be done

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with this condition:

Dig up more about your condition

Learn more about this condition. You can consult further with a doctor or exchange experiences with women who have had placenta previa before.

Get plenty of rest

Keep your pregnancy healthy by getting plenty of rest time. Even though you don't always sleep all the time, at least avoid doing activities that drain your energy.

Maintain a good mood

Take care of yourself and mood You are the best you can. Do light activities that can make you feel happy, from reading a book or watching a movie.

Let yourself remain relaxed and comfortable during pregnancy, despite experiencing this one pregnancy complication.

Even so, prepare yourself for delivery by caesarean section. Indeed, it is possible that when you experience this condition you can still give birth normally.

However, there are other possibilities for having a caesarean section. Whatever the decision may be, you and your baby's health condition is the best.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.