Problems After Delivery of Placenta Previa
- Placenta previa can cause excessive bleeding.David Aaron Troy/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Placenta previa is a condition that develops during pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, a woman has placenta previa when the placenta attaches itself in the lower part of the uterus and covers a portion or all of the cervix. This condition can potentially lead to problems after the delivery of the baby. - After the delivering vaginally, a woman who had placenta previa during pregnancy is at risk of bleeding excessively and uncontrollably. According to BabyCenter, a woman can hemorrhage after delivery with placenta previa because the uterus does not contract as strongly at the lower part of uterus. After delivery, the uterus contracts naturally to control bleeding in the area where the placenta was attached. Extreme hemorrhage can cause a woman to go into shock, or even cause death.
- BabyCenter states women who have placenta previa have a 10 percent chance of developing another problem called placenta accreta. Placenta accreta is present when the placenta implants too deeply in the uterus. After a baby is delivered the placenta does not detach normally from the uterine wall and severe hemorrhage can occur.
- Bleeding after delivery in women with placenta previa may be impossible for a physician to stop. When this happens, a hysterectomy, or removal of the woman's uterus, will be necessary to save the new mother's life.
- Placenta previa can affect a baby as well as an expectant mother. Babies born to mothers with placenta previa may have a low birth weight for two reasons. Placenta previa can cause intrauterine growth restriction in which a baby does not grow as well as she should in the womb. Pregnancies complicated by placenta previa also may not be able to reach full term. A preterm birth occurs before the 37th week of gestation. A mother could go into labor prematurely, or a C-section may be necessary to preserve the life and health of mother and/or baby.
