Low attachment of the placenta along the anterior wall. Placenta along the anterior wall

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms in the early stages of pregnancy. This is an embryonic structure that provides the embryo with oxygen and nutrients, as well as excretory function. It also plays a protective role, protecting the fetus from infections. Most often, the baby's place is fixed in the posterior and lateral areas, but it is not uncommon for the placenta to be located along the anterior wall of the uterus. If there are no other pathological abnormalities, this situation is not dangerous for the woman and does not require additional treatment.

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What does this mean?

Localization of the chorion along the anterior wall of the uterus is not a pathological deviation, but the woman requires careful medical supervision. The baby's place develops on the 7th day in the area of ​​the uterus where the implantation of the fertilized egg occurred - in the anterior, posterior and lateral areas. However, fixation of the placenta to the posterior wall near the fundus of the uterus is considered more favorable for the woman.

With intensive growth of the fetus, the walls of the reproductive organ gradually stretch, but this process occurs unevenly. It is the anterior wall of the uterus that is subjected to the greatest load. When the muscle layer is stretched, it becomes thinner, while the density and thickness of the posterior sections change little. In addition, the anterior part is more quickly injured by impacts and movements of the child, therefore creating the threat of damage and premature detachment of the placenta.

Unlike the muscular layer of the uterus, the placenta does not have the ability to stretch, so fixing it on a dense posterior wall near the fundus of the uterus is the best option for a woman.

However, there is some good news. If the chorion is attached to the anterior uterine segment, it migrates upward faster than with other fixation options.

If the placenta is 6 cm or more above the internal os of the uterus, this is considered normal and the woman should not worry. Most often, pregnancy proceeds without abnormalities, and delivery occurs safely.

Reasons for this attachment

Not all processes during pregnancy proceed smoothly; for some reason, the embryo attaches to the side or front of the reproductive organ. The mechanism of the phenomenon has not been studied in detail, but there are predisposing factors:

• Injuries to the walls of the organ;
• The presence of scars and adhesions;
• Endometriosis;
• The presence of myomatous nodes;
• Delayed development of the fertilized egg.

Most often, the placenta is located along the anterior wall of the uterus when the integrity of its internal walls is violated. This happens after numerous curettages, abortions, and caesarean sections. The structure of the endometrium is influenced by inflammatory processes and endometriosis.

Such attachment of the chorion is rarely detected in primiparous women; most often it is found during subsequent pregnancies. This is explained by changes in the internal walls of the reproductive organ during childbirth.

Sometimes the fertilized egg develops more slowly than necessary. Because of this, the embryo does not have time to penetrate the wall of the uterus in time and is attached to the front or lower part of it.

The localization of the embryo in one or another part of the uterus means that at the time of implantation of the embryo there was the best mucous membrane. That is, in this segment there was good blood supply and sufficient thickness.

How does localization affect bearing a child?

Many doctors consider the location of the placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus to be normal. For the course of pregnancy and childbirth, it does not matter whether the baby’s place is located on the front or back wall. Another parameter is much more important - the height of the child’s seat from the os of the uterus. Low attachment is dangerous for the development of presentation and spontaneous miscarriage of the fetus.

Possible complications of the anterior attachment of the placenta to the uterus

During a screening examination of pregnant women, the location of the placenta must be determined. This allows you to take into account all the risks and prevent pathology in time. Despite the fact that the fetus is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, this does not necessarily affect the course of pregnancy. It can proceed without complications and end in a successful delivery. However, certain dangers still exist.

1. The risk of placental abruption increases. The growing fetus puts pressure on the uterine wall and pushes intensely, and the force of the movements increases in proportion to the duration of pregnancy. Closer to childbirth, so-called training contractions occur, during which the uterus contracts. The baby's place cannot follow its contractions, so the danger of detachment increases. If the placenta is attached high, the uterine wall has no scars, then the woman is not in danger.
2. Fetal hypoxia. The location along the anterior uterine wall can impede the supply of nutrients to the baby, which is dangerous for the development of placental insufficiency and gestosis. Pathology develops with low placentation, when the grown fetus compresses the blood vessels. As a result, blood circulation and metabolism between mother and child are disrupted.
3. Placenta previa. The most favorable situation is to place the chorion at the back, since as the uterus grows it moves upward. Anterior fixation creates certain problems. If for some reason the embryo is attached too close to the internal os, then as the size of the uterus increases, the baby's place may slide down. At the same time, it completely or partially closes the exit of the uterus. In the case of complete presentation, the birth of a child cannot proceed naturally, and there is a risk of bleeding and miscarriage.
4. The risk of tight attachment and ingrowth of the embryonic structure increases. Existing scars interfere with normal fixation of the chorion. However, the pathology is quite rare and for its development there must be certain conditions:

• The afterbirth is located in front;
• There are cicatricial changes in the lining of the uterus;
• Low mounting of the child seat.

Placenta accretion to the uterine wall is possible in the presence of all 3 factors.

Presentation is dangerous due to placental abruption, bleeding and miscarriage.

How is the location of the placenta determined?

The location of the baby's place is determined during a routine ultrasound. In the absence of any pregnancy pathologies, characteristic symptoms are not observed, and the woman’s well-being does not suffer.

There are some things to consider during pregnancy:

• Fetal movement is felt weaker, sometimes later than expected;
• When listening to the baby's heartbeat, the sound will be duller and more distant;
• The size of the abdomen is slightly increased;
• Squeezing the abdomen and any injuries to it create a greater danger than when the placenta is located behind.

If there is an anterior presentation, it is determined by the doctor during a gynecological examination.

The anterior position of the child's seat is not a pathological deviation; many doctors consider the situation to be completely normal. If a woman does not have gynecological diseases (fibroids, cysts on the uterus) and cicatricial changes in the myometrium, then pregnancy proceeds without pathology and ends in term birth. Since the situation is accompanied by certain risks, the woman needs careful medical supervision.

As you know, the placenta is a special organ that is formed only during pregnancy and is the connecting link between mother and fetus. The placenta performs many functions to ensure the life of the unborn baby, such as cleansing the baby’s blood, nutrition, removal of waste and toxins, uninterrupted supply of oxygen to the baby. Also, it protects the fetus from infections.

The placenta is tightly attached to the wall of the uterus, it has a developed vascular system; two arteries and veins go from the placenta along the umbilical cord to the baby, supplying the baby’s body with nutrition and oxygen.

Very often we do not think about how the placenta should be located, and yet there are many options for its location in the uterus. During an ultrasound scan in the second trimester of pregnancy, the doctor must write down the results of the study, and in one of the points on the study results form the doctor will write down data on the location of the placenta.

How should the placenta be normally located?

The ideal location for the placenta is considered to be along the posterior wall of the uterus. This is the classic, familiar location of the placenta. Why? To answer this question, we must delve a little deeper into matters of anatomy.

The non-pregnant uterus is located in a woman's lower abdomen, just behind the bladder. As the pregnant uterus grows, it moves forward and the bladder becomes behind the growing uterus. Continuing to grow, the uterus protrudes forward and is located in the middle of the woman’s abdomen. In appearance, it begins to resemble a bag, with a convex and stretchable front side, and a dense, smaller back side. A growing child greatly stretches the front side of the uterus, while the back side remains less mobile and grows and stretches more slowly than the front.

From this it is worth concluding that for the placenta, which, unlike the uterus, is not an easily distensible organ, the best location option would be attachment to the posterior wall of the uterus.

Here are some advantages of placing the placenta on the posterior wall:

1. Ensuring immobility. The posterior wall of the uterus is not very extensible; it is denser and thicker than the anterior wall. When the uterus contracts, the placenta will not experience stress and there will be no risk of placental abruption.

2. Less trauma. The baby, moving and pushing in the uterus, will not touch the placenta as much as if it had a different location.

3. Less risk of placental abruption. Premature placental abruption occurs more often with anterior attachment.

4. Less risk of placenta accreta and true placenta accreta. Statistics show that in the case of a cesarean section during a previous birth, the placenta, if attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, can become attached to scar tissue, which creates a risk of placenta accreta.

5. Less risk of placenta previa.

The placenta may not only be located on the posterior wall of the uterus, although this option is ideal. It also happens that the placenta has a lateral location - on the right or left side of the uterus, or on the back side with entry to the left or right side.

And it happens that the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus. This arrangement is not considered a pathology, and is not considered dangerous either for the mother or the child. However, this placement of the placenta may have its risks, and you need to be aware of this.

Risks of anterior placentation

1. Risk of placental abruption. Why? Let's look at anatomy again. Above we talked about why the location of the placenta along the posterior wall is the most preferable for the mother and fetus. As we already know, the anterior wall of the uterus is more extensible and thinner than the posterior wall. A growing child puts pressure on the front wall of the uterus, and also pushes intensely. The longer the pregnancy, the more susceptible the uterus is to external influences.

When the baby moves, or when a woman strokes the abdomen, training contractions of the uterus - Braxton-Higgs contractions - may occur. These contractions are not dangerous for either the mother or the unborn baby, however, if the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus, in some cases there may be a risk of placental abruption. As the uterus contracts, it decreases in size, but what about the placenta? If the placenta is well attached, there are no scars or other pathological changes on the uterus, then everything should be fine.

2. Risk of placenta previa. Anatomy also plays a role here. If the placenta is located along the posterior wall, then as the uterus grows and as the placenta itself develops, the placenta always moves upward. This is how nature intended it to reduce the risk of placenta previa and, as a consequence, bleeding. However, if the placenta is located in the front, then certain problems may arise here.

If the embryo was not initially attached very low in the uterus, then the placenta will grow high, or at a normal distance from the cervix. But if for some reason the embryo is too attached to the exit of the uterus, then the placenta growing on the front wall will not grow upward, but will move down as it grows, closer and closer to the cervix. This is dangerous due to partial placenta previa, or complete placenta previa, when the placenta completely covers the internal os, making natural childbirth impossible and increasing the risk of premature placental abruption and dangerous bleeding.

3. Risk of tight attachment and true placenta accreta. This type of pregnancy pathology is rare, but it should not be forgotten by those who have undergone cesarean sections and other surgical interventions on the uterus in the past. Tight attachment and true placenta accreta can occur in those who have had any internal damage to the uterus, for example: abortions with curettage, cesarean sections, manual separation of the placenta and, as a result, damage to the inner surface of the uterus, as well as perforation and uterine rupture , which is extremely rare.

The scars formed in the uterus after such actions interfere with the normal attachment of the placenta. However, placenta accreta in such cases can only occur under the influence of certain factors and a combination of factors:

- insolvent or improperly healed scar in the uterus;

- low attachment of the placenta;

— a prerequisite is the location of the placenta along the anterior wall.

When these three factors are met, the risk of placenta accreta or true placenta accreta increases significantly.

However, we want to tell all expectant mothers: do not be upset if you find out that your placenta is not attached to the uterus quite as it should be. The location of the placenta on the side or in front is not a pathology, and for this to become a danger, certain conditions must be met. You can give birth with the placenta on the anterior wall and most mothers manage to carry the pregnancy to term quite calmly and then give birth naturally without any complications.

Be attentive to your health, see your doctor, and everything will be fine. Good luck with your pregnancy and happy birth!

The placenta is formed in the first weeks of pregnancy and acts as a conductor of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus and the removal of waste products, and also serves as a barrier to infections.

There are several options for its attachment in the uterus. One of them is the location on the front wall. Having heard such a verdict from a doctor, it is important for a woman to know how this threatens the normal course of pregnancy and the development of the child.

From a physiological point of view, the most optimal is the attachment of the placenta along the posterior wall. The fact is that during pregnancy the walls of the uterus stretch unevenly. As the child grows, the front wall increases in size and stretches more, while the back wall retains its density and stretches much less.

The front wall becomes thinner as it stretches. From here it becomes clear that for the normal functioning of the placenta, a location along the rear wall is more advantageous, since this way it is exposed to a minimum of stress.

Advantages of location on the rear wall

• The placenta is ensured immobility - placenta previa on the posterior wall is extremely rare, the placenta does not descend down and there is no threat to pregnancy.
• Uterine contractions and increased tone will not increase.
• The placenta is less exposed to blows and jolts from the baby when it moves.
• Lower risk of increment.
• There is a lower risk of injury to the placenta due to an accidental blow to the abdomen.
• There is a lower risk of bleeding with a caesarean section.

Causes of anterior placenta previa

However, not everything during pregnancy always goes according to the ideal scenario. Often the placenta is attached in a different place - on the side or in front. At the moment, many doctors consider the attachment of the placenta along the anterior wall as a normal option that requires special monitoring.

There can be many reasons why the placenta is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus. The mechanism of such attachment has not been fully studied, but it has been revealed that it can be provoked by:

• changes in the endometrium of the uterus;
• Features of the development and implantation of the fertilized egg;
• scars and adhesions on the walls of the uterus.

Various inflammatory diseases of the genital area, endometriosis, can lead to changes in the endometrium.

Scar changes on the walls of the uterus appear as a result of operations on the uterus, abortion, and inflammatory diseases. The conclusion is that multiple abortions and caesarean sections increase the risk of placenta being attached anteriorly.

According to statistics, such attachment rarely occurs during the first pregnancy. But in multiparous and multiparous women, this is a much more common occurrence, which may be explained by changes in the uterus and especially the inner lining.

If for some reason the fertilized egg does not have time to penetrate the endometrium within a certain time, then it is attached to the anterior wall.

Possible complications of the anterior attachment of the placenta to the uterus

Is there any danger in this position of the placenta? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally.

The fact is that if the placenta is located high on the anterior wall, pregnancy can proceed completely normally and end in a natural birth without pathologies.

At the same time, there are some risks. This is due to the fact that the placenta is an organ that is not capable of stretching. And when the wall on which it is attached begins to stretch too actively, complications are possible.

First of all, this is insufficient functioning of the placenta and impaired delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. And this in turn can lead to or.

If the distance to the uterine pharynx is reduced to 4 cm, we will talk about such a complication of the anterior location as. Anterior placenta previa can cause dysfunction of the placenta.

In extremely rare cases (if the position is too low), the placenta can completely block the cervix of the uterus, which will exclude the possibility of natural childbirth. More often, this complication develops during repeated pregnancy.

Anterior placenta previa in combination with placental insufficiency can provoke such a serious complication of pregnancy as partial or complete abruption.

In some cases, indirect symptoms are:

• weakly felt fetal movements;
• difficulties with - sometimes the heart sound is completely inaudible in the absence of pathology of the fetal cardiovascular system;
• Large belly size.

Unpleasant symptoms may appear if the placenta begins to descend and becomes previa. In this case, a woman needs to pay attention to:

• heaviness and;

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosis is quite simple and is based on a gynecological examination and ultrasound examination.

Only ultrasound gives a complete picture of how the placenta is located and whether there is a risk of its presentation.

Therefore, you should not refuse to undergo an ultrasound scan on time. The sooner this feature of pregnancy is identified, the easier it will be to prevent possible complications.

Features of pregnancy

The anterior position itself does not cause any trouble to the woman and does not worsen her well-being. Being simply a feature of the course of pregnancy, it does not require treatment. In addition, there is no treatment for it, since it is impossible to influence the location of the placenta, as well as change its position and move it to the back wall.

However, this feature of pregnancy requires constant and close monitoring so as not to miss the possible onset of complications, which are still more likely with an anterior location than with a normal one.

To reduce the risk, pregnant women with this placement are advised to rest more, completely avoid lifting weights (even if it seems that the objects are not heavy at all), and avoid worries, stress, and physical exertion.

If, then you should try to touch the stomach as little as possible so as not to provoke increased tone and placental abruption.

This is especially important in the later stages.

It is important to visit the doctor on time so as not to miss changes in the placenta and its location. This approach will allow you to notice in time that the child’s seat tends to move downwards.

Childbirth with placenta on the anterior wall

In the absence of complications, this placement of the baby's place does not have any effect on the course of labor. Moreover, some women note that childbirth is easier and faster. But this is true when it comes to natural childbirth.

If a woman is indicated for a cesarean section, an anterior position may complicate the operation, increasing the risk of large blood loss. This is due to the fact that the incision is made in the place where the placenta is located.

Therefore, when indicating a cesarean section, doctors must take into account the location of the placenta and adjust the surgical intervention in such a way as to minimize the risk of large blood loss. Naturally, for this, a woman must be regularly monitored and have all the necessary studies.

The anterior position does not have any effect on the health of the born child.

Anterior location is not a pathology, but an individual feature of pregnancy.

Therefore, you should not worry and expect complications - in the vast majority of cases, everything ends in a successful birth without complications. The only peculiarity here is the need for closer monitoring of the course of pregnancy.

VKontakte

The medical features of pregnancy are not known to everyone. Most expectant mothers carry a child without thinking about the physiological processes in the body. The main thing for her is to bear a strong, healthy baby, to give birth naturally, on her own.

And yet you need to know the basic principles of the physiology of pregnancy. For example, about the location of the placenta. This organ plays a decisive role in the successful development of the fetus: the health of the mother during gestation directly depends on its position and functionality.

Correct placement of the placenta

Placenta (also called children's place)- a vital organ that ensures normal blood circulation between mother and baby. Its formation begins in the first weeks of pregnancy, and the organ takes on its final form by the 16th week. The fetus is connected to the placenta by two arteries and a vein located in the umbilical cord. Through these vessels, the child receives nutrients and oxygen, and the release of waste products is ensured. Also, the protective surface of the amnion (water membrane) protects the body from possible Rh conflict.

From a physiological point of view, the correct placental location during pregnancy is when the organ is attached to the fundus of the uterus or along the posterior wall in the upper part. As the fetus develops, the uterus stretches, but the back remains tight, so the placenta position on the back side is the safest.

Cases of placenta attachment not on the bottom or back wall, but on the sides, right or left, are common. This arrangement is not pathological. Under conditions of careful monitoring of the pregnant woman, resolution occurs naturally.

In rare cases, the organ is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, which means increased stress due to uterine distension due to the movement of the growing fetus. If the child's seat is located high in the front, this feature is safe for the female body.

Should I panic with this diagnosis?

The anterior placental location increases the risk of possible complications during pregnancy and childbirth. It is worth understanding what causes this risk.

Due to excessive stress, sometimes the placenta descends to the os of the uterus and blocks the birth canal. If the placental attachment is fixed at a distance of 6 cm above the internal os, this position is called low placentation. The pathology is called placenta previa along the anterior wall. With this diagnosis, the expectant mother will not be able to give birth to a child on her own; childbirth occurs surgically.

Reasons for this condition

Anterior placentation is often caused by the following factors:

• repeated births;
• a scar on the uterus left after a previous cesarean section or other operations;
• pathologies of the cervix (erosion, fibroids, endometriosis, endocervicitis, underdevelopment);
• abortions;
• inflammatory diseases;
• bad habits;
• late maternal age.

Possible complications

The danger of the diagnosis lies in the fact that along with it the risk of associated complications increases:

1. Increased uterine tone and bleeding lead to threats of miscarriage in the early and late stages.
2. Oxygen starvation of a child affects his development.
3. Poor circulation causes anemia or hypotension.
4. Early abruption of the placenta at an extended period of time, caused by the pressure of the weight of the fetus. This in some cases leads to his death.
5. Incorrect fetal position causes complications during childbirth.
6. Premature birth. Self-resolution is not possible. Internal os, covered by the placenta with a distance of 4 cm or 3 cm - indicators of cesarean section.

Diagnostic methods

Statistics show: 75% of women diagnosed with anterior presentation have repeat births. With treatment and the right lifestyle, the placenta migrates and the organ rises to its original place. According to reviews of women who had lower placentation along the anterior wall, by the time of delivery the baby's place migrates.

The main symptom by which one can understand that the placental location is incorrect is sudden painless bleeding. Blood discharge can be triggered by sexual intercourse, physical activity, defecation, or a vaginal examination by a gynecologist. There is a version about the psychological cause of the condition. In a woman who fears for the loss of her unborn baby, the instinct of self-preservation is triggered, and the body blocks the exit from the baby's place. Various stresses affect the mother's well-being.

Indirect signs indicate pathology:

• rare weak movements of the baby;
• faint hearing of the baby's heartbeat;
• large belly - the fetus presses its weight on the baby's place, the walls are stretched, the fundus of the uterus is stretched.

Pathology is diagnosed by vaginal examination by a gynecologist to identify the following signs:

1. Standing of the fundus of the uterus.
2. Violation of fetal position.
3. Formations of soft consistency, partially or completely covering the internal pharynx.
4. Listening to blood flow through the vessels of the reproductive organ.

Later, an ultrasound examination is prescribed to reveal the peculiarities of the position of the child's place. The mother is prescribed complete bed rest with medication: hemostatic and reducing contractions of the reproductive organ. If the predominant location of the placenta does not change by the time of delivery, a caesarean section is prescribed as planned.

How does pregnancy go with this diagnosis?

Despite possible complications, the chances of a favorable pregnancy are high. The main condition is compliance with the regimen prescribed by the gynecologist. There is no 100% guaranteed treatment for previa, since it is impossible to change the position of the baby's place and fix it closer to the uterine fundus.

But the risks of complications can be reduced if the following conditions are met:

1. Bed rest depending on the state of health of the pregnant woman.
2. Taking medications prescribed by a doctor.
3. Bleeding causes anemia, so a diet is prescribed to normalize hemoglobin levels.
4. Thermal procedures are completely prohibited: baths, saunas, hot baths.
5. Elimination of physical activity: lifting weights, having sex, long trips. Anxiety and stress are completely eliminated.

Anemia caused by bleeding is treated by taking iron supplements.

The diet of a pregnant woman includes foods that help increase hemoglobin:

• beef
• liver
• apples
• grenades
• peaches
• walnuts
• dried fruits
• beet
• dark chocolate
• citruses.

What to do if the placenta is located on the anterior wall

If the baby's place is located not closer to the bottom of the uterus, but along the front part, the expectant mother should know that this fact means a feature of the body, and not a disease. Pathology is lower placentation. Therefore, there is no need to worry or panic. Medical supervision, careful attention to health and adherence to the regime will make pregnancy a pleasant and exciting period of life. If anterior presentation is not associated with complications, then the mother’s well-being does not suffer.

The task of doctors in this situation is: monitor the condition of the placenta and check the blood for coagulation and hemoglobin levels.

Mother's task: Take care of yourself and your child and notify your doctor at the slightest abnormal signs. If the slightest spotting appears, there is no need to wait for a scheduled appointment.

In cases of increased uterine tone, and the woman will feel this by the fact that the abdomen will be very hard, frequent touching of it is undesirable.

Features of childbirth with anterior presentation

Anterior placentation does not affect the condition and health of the baby. If there are no complications, it is quite possible that childbirth will be easy and quick, naturally.

Cesarean section increases the risk of blood loss. The incision during the operation is made at the level of the placental location of the placenta; there is a risk of damaging it with a scalpel. Therefore, the placental location is taken into account and the features of the operation are adjusted.

The placenta and anomalies of its location are described in detail in this video:

Conclusion

In expectant mothers, the body's sensitivity to various kinds of changes within the body increases. It seems to them that as soon as you feel bad, this already indicates serious pathologies. Such worries are in vain. During pregnancy, a woman’s body experiences additional stress, so minor problems with well-being are natural.

Low placentation occurs in 3% of women. If such a diagnosis is nevertheless made, then remember that taking your own health and the health of the unborn child seriously will help raise the placenta, which will increase the chances of giving birth naturally.

The placenta is one of several temporary organs that develop in a woman's body during pregnancy. The importance of the placenta in the development of the fetus is difficult to overestimate: it is an intermediary between the child and his mother, transfers nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s blood to the baby, removes toxins and waste products from the fetus, filters the mother’s blood from harmful substances and infections, thereby protecting the baby, whose immunity is not yet able to withstand the influence of the external environment.

Considering all this, it is easy to understand why doctors monitor the condition of the placenta, its location, and so on so closely.

The placenta is formed only by the 4th month of pregnancy. Before this, its functions are distributed among other temporary organs: the fetal membrane and the corpus luteum, formed at the site of the burst follicle. For the development of the baby, it is very important that the placenta is formed correctly, and even its location is of great importance for the proper course of pregnancy.

What are the features of the location of the placenta, and how does it affect the course of pregnancy?

The most ideal option for placing the placenta in the uterine cavity is to attach it along the back wall in the upper part of the uterus, closer to the bottom. The fact is that the walls of the uterus are designed in such a way that as the fetus grows, they stretch very much. However, they do not stretch evenly.

The uterus is designed in such a way that stretching occurs mostly along anterior wall. It becomes thinner and more extensible, while the back wall remains dense and is much less susceptible to stretching.

That is why nature prescribes the attachment of the fertilized egg to the posterior wall, because the placenta, unlike muscle tissue, does not have the ability to stretch. Thus, the placenta, fixed to the posterior wall, experiences significantly less stress, which is not at all beneficial for it.

So it turns out that the back wall is an ideal option for the attachment of the fetus, and then the development of the placenta.

Placenta location options

For various reasons, the fertilized egg can attach not only to the upper part of the posterior wall of the uterus, but also to other parts of it. Quite often there is a side mount: to the right or left of the back wall. In some, also not very rare cases, the placenta is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus.

All of these options for the location of the placenta are not considered a pathology, although in such cases there is a deviation from the ideal location intended by nature. Women with a lateral placenta, as well as with a placenta attached to the anterior wall, most often carry and give birth to children naturally without complications. Of course, among them there are also those who are faced with various pathologies, but, as a rule, they have other reasons for complications.

Certainly, placenta located on the anterior wall is exposed to somewhat greater loads due to constant stretching of the walls of the uterus, fetal movements, and maternal actions. To some extent, this increases the risk of damage to the placenta, premature detachment, and so on. The direction of placental migration may also change.

Due to the constant stretching of the muscles of the uterus, the placenta can gradually descend too close to the os of the uterus, and sometimes even block the exit from the uterus to the birth canal. If there is 6 centimeters or less between the edge of the placenta and the cervical os, we speak of it, but if the placenta partially or completely blocks the exit from the uterus, this pathology is called placenta previa.

However, low placentation and placenta previa can be caused by a number of other reasons, which will be discussed later. Presentation on the posterior wall occurs much less frequently than along the anterior wall. We have already discussed above why this happens.

Causes of anterior placenta previa

What are the causes of placenta previa along the anterior wall? Unfortunately, these reasons are not fully understood. However, some of them have already been reliably established. In particular, these include various endometrial damage- inner layer of the uterus. These may be inflammatory processes, scars from operations, for example, cesarean section, consequences of curettage after miscarriages or abortions.

Uterine fibroids, as well as its other pathologies, can cause placenta previa along the anterior wall. It has been noted that in women giving birth for the first time, this pathology occurs much less frequently than in second and subsequent pregnancies. This is most likely also due to the condition of the uterine mucosa.

However, reasons for this pathology may arise not only from the mother’s side. In some cases they lie in underdevelopment fertilized egg. Because of this lag, the fertilized egg does not have time to implant into the endometrium in time. Implantation occurs in this case in the lower part of the uterus.

It also happens that the fertilized egg is attached to the anterior wall in the upper part of the uterus, but subsequently the placenta migrates as a result of stretching of the uterus to the lower part.

Degrees of anterior presentation

There are complete and partial presentations. It's not hard to understand that full presentation This is a situation where the placenta completely covers the cervical os.

Partial presentation also divided into 2 different types: lateral and marginal. Marginal - when the placenta passes along the very edge of the uterine os. Lateral presentation is when the placenta still blocks the exit from the uterus, although not completely.

Symptoms of anterior presentation and why it is dangerous

Unfortunately, very often anterior placenta previa proceeds completely asymptomatic. Of course, this does not mean that it will be impossible to diagnose pathology. How to identify the problem will be discussed later. The main thing in the absence of symptoms is that it is not always possible to diagnose presentation on time.

In some cases, placenta previa makes itself felt bleeding. This means that premature placental abruption has occurred. Actually, this is precisely the main danger of presentation, although not the only one.

As you remember, the placenta supplies the fetus with nutrients and oxygen. When the placenta is located low, and even more so blocks the exit from the uterus, it turns out that the child presses on it with all his weight. It can compress blood vessels in the placenta. This, in turn, can cause oxygen starvation - hypoxia.

As the fetus grows, the pressure on the placenta increases, in addition, the baby's movements become more active, he touches the placenta. As a result, premature placental abruption. In this case, the consequences can be disastrous not only for the child, but also for the mother. Especially if she has problems with blood clotting.

Bleeding during presentation can occur as early as the second trimester, immediately after the formation of the placenta has completed. However, most often it occurs at a later stage, sometimes just before childbirth, or even during childbirth.

Therefore, if a symptom of placenta previa becomes vaginal bleeding, you must immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause and begin treatment.

We should also talk about breech birth. Complete presentation, a condition when the placenta blocks the exit from the uterus, completely eliminates the possibility of natural childbirth.

The placental tissue simply will not release the fetus into the birth canal. But in the case of partial presentation, natural childbirth is, in principle, possible. The main thing is that doctors delivering babies closely monitor the woman in labor. If bleeding occurs, it still makes sense to perform an emergency caesarean section.

Diagnosis of anterior presentation

Placenta previa can be diagnosed in several ways. Including when gynecological examination. Complete and partial presentation are felt differently by palpation. With complete presentation, it is felt to the touch that the os of the uterus is completely blocked by the placenta.

With partial presentation, both placental tissue and membranes are felt. By the way, upon examination, lateral and marginal presentation are perceived equally. So a gynecologist without additional devices will not be able to determine what type of partial presentation we are talking about.

If a woman was initially diagnosed with low placentation, for example, during the first routine ultrasound, then she will subsequently be regularly examined, including with ultrasound. Then, in the event of placenta migration and the development of presentation, this will be promptly identified during the next study. An ultrasound will show the presence of pathology even if it is asymptomatic. That is why women are recommended to attend all routine examinations and ultrasound examinations.

Treatment of women with anterior presentation

Unfortunately, modern medicine is not able to influence the location of the placenta. Treatment of placenta previa comes down to constant monitoring by doctors and timely examinations. In this case, not only the condition of the fetus and placenta is monitored, but also the condition of the pregnant woman. Blood tests must be done regularly. The level of hemoglobin and the ability of the blood to clot are checked. The fact is that anemia or acute blood incoagulability can play a bad joke on the expectant mother in the event of bleeding.

If a woman diagnosed with anterior placenta previa begins to have vaginal bleeding beyond 24 weeks, no matter how severe, the woman will be hospitalized. And be sure to go to the hospital where there is a special intensive care unit. In case of extensive blood loss. The main and first prescription for all women with bleeding during pregnancy is absolute peace.