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Complete Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is one of the most common, serious causes of vaginal bleeding during the third trimester of pregnancy (over 25 weeks gestation). Normally, the fertilized ovum implants itself in the UPPER portion of the uterus. If the implantation occurs in a LOWER position in the uterus (toward the opening of the uterus or the cervix), there exists a possibility of the placenta covering the cervix. When this occurs, it is referred to as placenta previa. Common symptoms include, PAINLESS, heavy vaginal bleeding in the female who is in the third trimester of pregnancy. The usual pattern is intermittent bleeding (over a 1-2 week period) that progressively increases.
Evaluation includes pregnancy ultrasound, which can identify the location of the placenta. Treatment usually involves medications that will impede labor if the pregnancy is too early. These babies are delivered by Cesarean section, to avoid the implications of fetal anoxia (low oxygen to the baby during delivery). The OB-GYN physician is the expert in the treatment of this serious pregnancy complication.
Hope this article will provide you information about placenta previa.
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