Long-Term Effects of Placenta Previa

Cesarean Section

• Diagnosis of a complete or partial placenta previa requires a cesarean because the baby cannot get through the cervical opening and into the vagina. Cervical dilation can cause an abruption, or a separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus, so the obstetrician will schedule the cesarean prior to 40 weeks. If heavy bleeding occurs before the cesarean, the obstetrician may perform an emergency cesarean.

  The likelihood of placenta previa and placenta abruption following a surgical birth increases, according to a study published in the May 1996 edition of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A 2010 French study reported similar conclusions. An obstetric history including a surgical birth increases the probability that subsequent births will also be surgical.

Subsequent Previas

• According to "Holistic Midwifery," women who have experienced a previa are 12 times more likely to have a subsequent one. As noted previously, a history of one or more cesareans increases the risk of previa. Other types of uterine surgery increase the risk of previa as well.

Accreta and Hysterectory Risk

• Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta grows into the uterine muscle and does not separate after birth. According to Dr. David Miller, approximately 10 percent of placenta previas also include a placental accreta. Manual extraction is necessary to remove the placenta. When bleeding is uncontrolled, however, an emergency hysterectomy may be done to arrest the hemorrhage.

Rh Isoimmunization

• Mothers whose blood status is Rh negative and experience a placenta previa may develop antibodies to the Rh factor if the baby is Rh positive. Rh positive blood may enter the mother's circulatory system and cause her to produce antibodies that could cross the placenta and attack the unborn child's red blood cells. If she develops antibodies late in pregnancy, it may not seriously affect the child she is carrying, but could be a threat to subsequent pregnancies.

Premature Birth

• Placenta previa increases the risk of a premature birth. If the placental bleeding cannot be controlled, an emergency cesarean may occur to preserve the life of mother and baby. If the delivery occurs prior to 36 weeks, the baby will be premature and is at higher risk for respiratory distress, low apgar scores, low birth weight and a weaker immune system.

Nenoatal Transfusion

• According to the "Health Encyclopedia," approximately 10 percent of babies born to mothers with placenta previa will also lose blood. This may cause the baby to need a blood transfusion.

Birth Defects

• Placenta previa is more common in babies with congenital defects, according to a 1989 report in "Fetal Therapy." The report stated that cardiac anomalies were higher in pregnancies where placenta previa occurred.