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Placenta Accreta - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

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Specialty Care Clinics
Placenta Accreta - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is Placenta Accreta?


Placenta accreta is a severe pregnancy condition that happens when the placenta grows too deeply inside the uterine wall.

Generally, the placenta separates from the uterine wall after childbirth. With placenta accreta, portion or all of the placenta remains attached. This could cause severe blood loss after delivery.

It is also possible that the placenta invades the muscles of the uterus (placenta increta) or develops across the uterine wall (placenta percreta).

Placenta accreta is referred to as a high-risk pregnancy complication. If the condition is diagnosed during pregnancy, you will likely require an early C-section delivery followed by the surgical removal of your uterus (hysterectomy).


Placenta Accreta Symptoms


Placenta accreta usually causes no signs or symptoms during pregnancy — although vaginal bleeding during the third trimester may happen.

Occasionally, placenta accreta is discovered during a routine ultrasound.

Placenta Accreta Causes

Placenta accreta is thought to be associated with abnormalities in the lining of the uterus, typically because of scarring after a C-section or other uterine surgery. Sometimes, however, placenta accreta happens without a history of uterine surgery.


 Placenta Accreta


Placenta Accreta Risk factors


Many factors could increase the risk of placenta accreta, including:

  •    Previous uterine surgery - The risk of placenta accrete rises with the number of C-sections or other uterine surgeries you have undergone.
  •    Placenta position - If the placenta partially or completely covers your cervix (placenta previa) or sits in the lower portion of your uterus, you are at increased risk of placenta accreta.
  •    Maternal age - Placenta accreta is more common in women older than 35 years.
  •    Previous childbirth - The risk of placenta accreta rises as your number of pregnancies increases.

Placenta Accreta Complications

Placenta accreta could cause:

  •    Heavy vaginal bleeding - Placenta accreta poses a major risk of serious vaginal bleeding (hemorrhage) after delivery. The bleeding could cause a life-threatening condition that prevents your blood from clotting normally (disseminated intravascular coagulopathy), as well as lung failure (adult respiratory distress syndrome) and kidney failure. A blood transfusion will probably be required.
  •    Premature birth - Placenta accreta may cause labor to start early. If placenta accreta causes bleeding during your pregnancy, you may need to deliver your baby early.

Placenta Accreta Diagnosis

If you have risk factors for placenta accreta during pregnancy — like the placenta partially or completely covering the cervix (placenta previa) or a previous uterine surgery — your health care professional will carefully assess the implantation of your baby's placenta.


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