Expert Medical Services
Book an Appointment
Find a caring and knowledgeable doctor. Book your appointment today.
What Is Placenta Accreta?
Placenta accreta is a pregnancy complication involving abnormal placental attachment to the uterine wall.
It’s relatively rare, but according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it is becoming more common. In the 1970s and 1980s, the prevalence of complications was 1 in every 2,510 births. Today it occurs in 1 in every 272 pregnancies.
The OB/GYNs at Maiden Lane Medical offer expert reproductive health care, including diagnosing and managing high-risk pregnancies and complications.
Early detection and timely intervention are key to ensuring the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby. At Maiden Lane Medical, we aim to shed light on the causes, risk factors, and potential treatments for developing placenta accreta. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or for any concerns regarding your pregnancy.
Placenta Accreta Explained
Sometimes referred to as placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), the condition occurs when the placenta embeds too deeply into the uterine wall during pregnancy. The placenta is an organ that forms during pregnancy.
It surrounds the fetus and provides oxygen and nutrients during gestation. It also removes waste products and protects your growing baby.
PAS is a spectrum condition because of the three different depths that the placenta can reach.
Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta attaches too deep in the uterine wall but does not penetrate the uterine muscle.
Placenta increta occurs when the placenta penetrates the uterine muscle.
Placenta percreta occurs when the placenta pushes through the entire uterine wall and attaches to another pelvic organ, such as the bladder.
What Causes Placenta Accreta?
Physicians and medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of PAS. However, there are links to placenta prevue and previous cesarean deliveries. Multiple cesarean deliveries can increase your risk of developing PAS in a future pregnancy.
Other risk factors for PAS include:
- Placenta previa and other abnormal placental placement
- Advanced maternal age
- Previous uterine surgery, such as fibroid removal or endometriosis surgery
- In vitro fertilization
Talk to your OB/GYN if you have any concerns about your risk of developing PAS.
What Are the Symptoms of Placenta Accreta?
PAS doesn’t usually cause noticeable symptoms in its milder stages. However, if you have placenta percreta and the placenta embeds itself in a neighboring organ like the bladder, you may develop pelvic pain and find blood in your urine.
Additionally, the condition often coincides with placenta previa, which can cause vaginal bleeding.
In most cases, pregnant women don’t know they have PAS until they have an ultrasound and their OB/GYN notices the placental abnormality.
Who is at Risk of this Pregnancy Complication?
Placenta accreta is a condition that poses significant risks during pregnancy and delivery, and certain factors can increase the likelihood of its development.
Women who have undergone a cesarean hysterectomy in a previous pregnancy, where the uterus was removed due to severe bleeding, are at higher risk for placenta accreta in subsequent pregnancies.
Furthermore, individuals with a history of prior uterine surgeries, such as myomectomy to remove fibroids or a previous placenta accreta, also face an increased risk. Additionally, women who are 35 or older, have experienced preterm births, endometriosis excision, or IVF in the past may be more susceptible to this condition.
At Maiden Lane Medical, we prioritize comprehensive care and close monitoring to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby throughout the pregnancy journey.
What Complications Does Placenta Accreta Cause?
PAS can cause various complications for both the expecting mother and the baby.
Maternal Complications
When PAS co-occurs with placenta previa or if there are attempts to detach the placenta from its embedded state, the mother-to-be has a risk of severe postpartum hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.
Vaginal births are not always possible when the expectant mother has PAS. This presents a specific risk if PAS isn’t diagnosed before labor and delivery.
The OB/GYN must perform careful procedures to extract the placenta and control bleeding. The OB/GYN may recommend a cesarean delivery when diagnosed in advance. However, the doctor will need to remove the uterus after delivery in a worst-case scenario.
Fetal Complications
PAS doesn’t directly harm the developing baby. The highest risk for babies is preterm birth. When an OB/GYN diagnoses PAS, they often suggest a cesarean delivery between 34-37 weeks.
If the mother has severe bleeding, the OB/GYN may recommend delivery earlier. Premature babies usually need to spend time in the NICU.
Have more questions?
Chat with us online! Use our webchat in the lower right hand of your screen
How is Placenta Accreta Diagnosed?
When you have your prenatal ultrasounds, your OB/GYN looks for signs of abnormalities and measures and monitors your baby’s development. If they see an indicator of PAS, they may order additional testing, such as a Doppler ultrasound.
Doppler ultrasounds show blood flow, which provides more detail about abnormal placental embedding.
How is Placenta Accreta Treated?
If you have PAS, you will have more frequent ultrasounds so your OB/GYN can monitor your condition. You may also need to have magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and consult with other specialists. In addition, your OB/GYN may strongly suggest having a cesarean delivery.
They will need to remove the placenta surgically. If complications occur during the procedure, your surgeon may need to perform an emergency hysterectomy.
Schedule An Appointment With Maiden Lane Medical Today!
If you have PAS, it’s critical to find an OB/GYN with experience with the condition.
The team at Maiden Lane Medical is experienced with PAS, placenta previa, and other complications. They’re committed to helping you and your baby have a safe gestation and delivery. Call us today to schedule a consultation!
Medically Reviewed By
Alexandra Fleary, MD
Board Certified OB/GYN