Re: Anterior placenta questions

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>
>What are any potential 'complications' that I can be aware of with an
>anterior placenta?

Noelle-

Anterior placentas are extremely common and generally do not cause complications. The exception is if you have had a prior c/section. Then, in some cases, the anterior placenta can attach itself to the old scar in the uterine muscle, a situation called placenta accreta (or percreta or increta, depending if the placenta goes deeper into the muscle, or even through the entire uterus, respectively). This can cause hemorrhage with delivery, necessitating blood transfusion or even hysterectomy. Fortunately, if you have never had a c/section, this is quite rare.

Anterior placentas should only rarely cause problems finding the baby's heart beat. At 16 weeks this would not be an issue, unless you are fairly overweight. (Not a little overweight, but considerably overweight). The more likely cause of not hearing the baby's heartbeat at 16 weeks is that the darn kids move all over the place at that age, and it can sometimes be hard to track the heart rate! I would be surprised if they had a hard time your next visit, which in normal circumstances would be at 20-22 weeks or so.

So, it sounds like you are on track. Congratulations on the pregnancy!

--
Ashley Hill
David Ashley Hill, M.D.
Associate Director
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
Orlando, FL
http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd

The above is intended for general medical education,
and is not for specific medical advice.
I apologize, but I am unable to answer personal e-mail
due to time constraints.

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