Placenta Praevia

Placenta Praevia happens when the Placenta forms unusually low in the uterus and covers all or part of the cervix. The first sign that there is a problem is bright red bleeding, painless bleeding that occurs between the 28th & 38th week. The episode of bleeding can be a once off thing or may happen a number of times. When Placenta Praevia is diagnosed the mother is put on strict bedrest under close medical supervision with the aim of getting the pregnancy as close to term as possible. A placenta Praevia pregnancy will almost always end with a cesarean delivery and the majority with a good outcome for both mother and baby.

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Some pregnancies will be diagnosed early with Placenta Praevia but as the baby grows and the uterus expands the placenta will move up the uterine wall to a safe position. These pregnancies will usually go on to a full term normal birth.

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The website www.birth.com.au will give you information on Placenta Praevia, its signs, types, health concerns, and the care and treatment of.

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Placenta Abruption
Placenta abruption (or placental abruption or abruptio placentae) is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. This can cause a disruption in the flow of oxygen to the baby and serious bleeding in the mother. The separation may be partial or it may be complete where the entire placenta is separated from the uterus.

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Placental failure
The placenta forms very early in a pregnancy and continues its doing nurturing the growing foetus until delivery. It passes nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby and acts like the baby’s lungs, liver and kidneys. It also produces a number of hormones needed by the pregnancy. It starts forming as the first cells are divided and grows with the baby until at full term birth it weighs about 500grams.

For some baby’s the placenta doesn’t form properly and gives the baby reduced nutrients. In other cases the placenta for some reason stops working.

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In both of these cases the baby will usually be born small for dates or IUGR (Intra Uterine Growth Retarded) But both baby’s will be slightly different at birth.

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The primary aim of PIPA is to provide practical and emotional support to the parents and families of premature infants. However we do not offer professional advice. We are parents of preterm baby’s and not medical staff. We do offer understanding, support, encouragement and friendship.