She examined her and ordered for an ultrasound. Doctor’s suspicion was true, Chitra’s placenta was located lower down in the uterus. This could be the cause of her bleeding. Thankfully, it is still early Pregnancy and the bleeding was also minimal. This condition is called Placenta Previa.
The doctor tries to explain to Chitra the reason for her bleeding. She began by explaining about what is the placenta. The placenta is a structure that develops inside your uterus during pregnancy, providing oxygen and nutrition to and removing wastes from your baby. The placenta connects to your baby through the umbilical cord. In most pregnancies, the placenta attaches at the top or side of the uterus.
Placenta previa occurs when a baby's placenta is situated in the lower part of the uterus and partially or totally covers the mother's cervix — the outlet for the uterus. Placenta previa can cause severe bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. If you have placenta previa, you might bleed throughout your pregnancy and during your delivery.
If you have been diagnosed with this condition, It is better to avoid activities that might cause contractions, including having sex, using tampons, or engaging in activities that can increase your risk of bleeding, such as running, squatting, and jumping.
What are the symptoms of Placenta Previa?
Bright red vaginal bleeding without pain during the second half of pregnancy is the main sign of placenta previa. Some women also have contractions. In many women diagnosed with placenta previa early in their pregnancies, the placenta previa resolves as the uterus grows, it might increase the distance between the cervix and the placenta. But in some cases, the more the placenta covers the cervix and the later in the pregnancy that it remains over the cervix, the less likely it is to resolve. C-section may be done to deliver the baby in such cases. If you have vaginal bleeding during your second or third trimester, call your doctor right away. If the bleeding is severe, seek emergency medical care. You can watch a self-explanatory video about Placenta previa https://www.medhealthtv.com/index.php/your-pregnancy/videos/hindi-pregnancy/video/placenta-previa
What are the causes of Placenta Previa?
Why Placenta Previa develops is still not known. Some risk factors which may increase its incidence. Placenta previa is more common among women who:
- in their second pregnancy
- Have scars on the uterus, such as from previous surgery, including cesarean deliveries,
- Women who have surgeries for removal of fibroid or who have had dilation and curettage
- Had placenta previa with a previous pregnancy
- Are having twin pregnancy
- Are age 35 or older
Complications
Bleeding. Severe, possibly life-threatening vaginal bleeding (hemorrhage) can occur during labor, delivery or in the first few hours after delivery. Preterm birth. Sometimes, severe bleeding may prompt an emergency C-section before your baby is full term.
After listening to the Doctor, Chitra was initially concerned, but was relieved that in her case, it has been diagnosed early. She decided, she would take care of herself and visit her doctor more often to monitor her pregnancy and hoped that it would resolve on its own as in many cases.
