Placenta accreta - Definition & Explanation for Mothers

Table of Contents

Definition

Placenta accreta is a serious pregnancy condition that occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. Instead of easily detaching after childbirth, as it normally does, the placenta remains attached due to this invasive growth. This condition can lead to severe bleeding during delivery and can be life-threatening for the mother.

Key Takeaways

Placenta Accreta is a serious pregnancy condition that occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. This can lead to complications such as severe bleeding during delivery.
The condition often requires a cesarean section to be performed and can even necessitate a hysterectomy after delivery. Hence, proper diagnosis and planning are essential for health professionals managing these cases.
While the exact cause of Placenta Accreta is not known, it has been associated with previous uterine surgeries like C-sections or fibroid removal, and conditions such as placenta previa.

Importance

Placenta accreta is a significant term in motherhood as it denotes a serious pregnancy condition where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall.

This sometimes leads to the placenta not able to completely detach after childbirth, which can result in severe blood loss in the mother.

It is more common in women who have had previous surgeries, such as Cesarean sections or fibroid removals.

Therefore, it is crucial for expecting mothers and medical professionals to be aware of this condition in order to adequately plan and manage the childbirth procedure, potentially reducing maternal mortality rates.

Explanation

The placenta accreta plays a vital role in ensuring the health and survival of a growing fetus within the womb. It is a term used to describe a condition of pregnancy where the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall, and instead of detaching naturally after childbirth as it would in a normal pregnancy, it remains attached.

This anomaly is clinically significant because it poses potential risks to both the mother and the fetus, primarily due to excessive bleeding that could occur during the delivery process. The primary function of the placenta in general is to provide oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, and remove waste materials from the fetus’s blood.

It is essentially a life support system that helps sustain pregnancy by acting as a conduit for communication and nutrient exchange between mother and baby. But when placenta accreta occurs, it impedes the placenta’s ability to detach and leaves the mother susceptible to postpartum hemorrhage – which is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide.

Therefore, recognising and appropriately managing placenta accreta is essential for the wellbeing of both the mother and baby.

Examples of Placenta accreta

Example 1: A 31-year-old woman, Jane, on her second pregnancy is experiencing severe bleeding during her third trimester. Upon medical examination, it’s discovered that she has placenta accreta. In this case, the placenta has aggressively attached to the uterine wall, causing her life-threatening condition. As a result, she needs specialist intervention to remove the placenta after giving birth, and in some cases may require a hysterectomy.Example 2: Emily, who is on her fourth pregnancy, is diagnosed with placenta accreta after an ultrasound. In her previous pregnancies, she had cesarean sections which led to scarring. This scarring is one of the main reasons she has placenta accreta, as the placenta found abnormal areas to attach to, leading to this condition. Example 3: Lisa, a 35-year-old woman, goes into early labor experiencing sharp stomach pains. Upon examination, doctors notice that her placenta has not detached from the uterine wall, a common condition known as placenta accreta. The doctors decide to perform an emergency c-section to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. The event is scary, but fortunately everyone involved had knowledge about placenta accreta and acted rapidly to protect both mother and baby.

FAQs for Placenta Accreta

What is Placenta Accreta?

Placenta accreta is a serious pregnancy condition that occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. It might remain attached to the uterine wall after childbirth, leading to severe postpartum hemorrhage.

What causes Placenta Accreta?

The exact cause of placenta accreta is unknown. However, it’s more likely to occur in women who have a previous history of caesarean delivery, other surgery in the uterus or are aged over 35.

What are the symptoms of Placenta Accreta?

Placenta accreta often causes no signs or symptoms during pregnancy. Occasionally, there may be painless vaginal bleeding during the third trimester. Most cases are diagnosed through an ultrasound or during delivery.

How is Placenta Accreta treated?

Management of placenta accreta involves planned caesarean delivery followed by removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). In some cases, where the placenta detaches on its own, a wait-and-watch approach may be considered.

Can Placenta Accreta be prevented?

There’s no sure way to prevent placenta accreta. However, attending all prenatal appointments and early diagnosis can help manage the condition and decrease potential complications.