DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT PLACENTA ACCRETA?

[alreadyblessed]

Hi ladies,
I have had 2 previous c-sections over the years and am going to be having a third sometime late March. At my 20 wk sono, the doc told me that my placenta was very "low lying" which is not a big deal if you are having a repeat section, but their concern was that if it does not move, it may adhere to the uterus and cause hemmorhaging during the surgery. Sometimes the uterus has to be removed.
I went for a follow up 2 days ago at 28 weeks, and the darn placenta is still in the same spot. The docs words "It doesn't appear to be fixed to the uterus at this time although nothing is 100% with ultrasound. Come back in another 5 weeks and lets see where we are". I'm not freaking out, just trying to see if anyone has this or knows anyone who has had this condition, and how it worked out for them during delivery. Thanks!

[kerpupples]

Interesting. The position of the placenta as you described, assuming "low-lying" means towards the cervix, is called placenta previa and I have it too. I've never been told that it could be related to this placenta accreta condition though and haven't seen it in any of the research I've done on placenta previa either. I'm facing the probability of having a c-section as well.

I'm reading the wiki page on placenta accreta and it says it is very rarely diagnosed before birth. Also reading that it affects 10% of placenta previa cases and even those are only .5% of labors. So you're looking at a .05% chance of this condition - hopefully you can beat those odds!

My placenta has not moved from down by the cervix since my 12 week ultrasound, but they think it is because it is implanted near the cervix. Maybe I'll ask about this at my next appointment.

[alreadyblessed]

Hi Kerpupples,

Apparently this is only a concern if you have had previous c-sections because the placenta will adhere to the old scar tissue. I have had 2 previous sections, and after my second ectopic they did a laperoscopy and apparently I have a ton of scar tissue.
I have heard of placenta previa, and know a few friends who have had it. If it is very low lying or covering the cervix you will have to be sectioned. Keep getting monitored, and be careful as you near the end for any signs of bleeding. Good luck sweetie!

[kerpupples]

Gotcha. Well try not to stress about it too much - it doesn't sound like they can do anything about it until you deliver anyway.

[alreadyblessed]

very true. Thanks for your input though. Good luck with your pregnancy.