Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Placenta previa Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Placenta previa from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis
on Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis
Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Placenta previa
Risk calculators and risk factors for Placenta previa natural history, complications and prognosis

Complications

• Risks to the mother include:

• Death
• Major bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Shock

• There is also an increased risk for infection, blood clots, and necessary blood transfusions.

• Prematurity (infant is less than 36 weeks gestation) causes most infant deaths in cases of placenta previa. The baby may lose blood if the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus during labor. The baby also can lose blood when the uterus is opened during a C-section delivery.

Prognosis

• Placenta previa is most often diagnosed before bleeding occurs. Careful monitoring of the mother and unborn baby can prevent many of the significant dangers.

• The biggest risk is that severe bleeding will require your baby to be delivered early, before major organs, such as the lungs, have developed.

• Most complications can be avoided by hospitalizing a mother who is having symptoms, and delivering by C-section.