Placenta previa

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Placenta previa

Placenta previa is a placenta that has grown low in the uterus, partially or fully over the opening to the birth canal (cervix). Placenta previa can be dangerous during labor and delivery, when it is most likely to cause severe placental bleeding that can be life-threatening to the mother or fetus.

The amount of the cervix that is covered by the placenta may be slight (marginal), moderate (partial), or complete (total). Unless a placenta previa is only marginal, a surgical delivery (cesarean section) is needed to prevent severe placental bleeding.

A woman's risk for placenta previa increases with each pregnancy, cesarean section, uterine procedure that scars the uterus, or previous placenta previa. Smoking, cocaine use, and advancing age also increase placenta previa risk.

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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