The placenta is an organ that plays a crucial role in the development of the fetus. The placenta begins to form at the moment when a fetal egg is attached to the uterine wall, and by twelve weeks of pregnancy it takes on nutritional, respiratory, excretory, protective and hormonal functions.
Typically, the placenta is located in the area of the fundus of the uterus or along its posterior part with a transition to the side walls, less often along the front wall. But there is such a pathology as placenta previa. The placenta, located in the lower part of the uterus, overlaps its internal pharynx partially or completely. Depending on this, there are full (central), partial and low placenta previa.
Complete placenta previa, when the uterine pharynx is completely blocked, is quite rare. Partial
placenta previa can be marginal and lateral. The placental presentation of the placenta is the location of the placenta, in which the internal pharynx is closed by one third; lateral presentation - when two-thirds are closed. With low placenta previa, this important organ is located at a distance of no more than five centimeters from the internal pharynx. But pathology
low placentation is considered only in the third trimester of pregnancy, until this time the placenta may well rise.
The main reason that placenta previa occurs is that the uterine mucosa has undergone changes that impede the proper fixation of a fertilized egg. These changes can arise as a result of the transferred inflammatory process, the use of intrauterine devices, endometrial disorders due to abortion or intrauterine curettage, uterine fibroids. Of all cases when doctors diagnose marginal placenta previa, 75% are women who are pregnant again. Also, diseases of the internal organs of a pregnant woman can have an effect on improper fixation of the embryo.
The clinical symptom by which both the placental presentation of the placenta and the other types of its incorrect location are determined is bleeding from the genital tract, accompanied by pain. It can occur at different stages of pregnancy - both in the first trimester, and before the birth itself. The cause of bleeding is a partial detachment of the placenta. The walls of the uterus during pregnancy are stretched, and the placenta is not capable of such stretching, as a result, its exfoliation occurs.
If medication is not taken on time, the fetus will begin to experience hypoxia, and a pregnant woman may develop significant anemia. Sometimes bleeding can even be fatal. Therefore, if a gynecologist identifies lateral, full or marginal presentation of the placenta, it is necessary to strictly follow its instructions. Focusing on the complaints of a pregnant woman and the results of an ultrasound scan, he will prescribe bed rest, drugs to reduce the uterus, and in the case of frequent repeated bleeding, hospitalization and treatment in a hospital. Delivery, most likely, will be carried out by cesarean section, only the marginal location of the placenta leaves the opportunity for natural childbirth.