Placenta along the anterior wall is low placentation. Location of the placenta along the anterior wall of the uterus

The placenta is an important organ whose main purpose is to connect the blood circulation of mother and child during pregnancy. The first signs of the placenta appear at the very beginning of the period, but this organ acquires its final appearance only by the 16th week. From the placenta to the baby, 2 arteries and 1 vein are sent along the umbilical cord (sometimes it happens). Thanks to these vessels, the child is fed, waste products are removed from his body, there is a constant supply of oxygen to the fetal cells and protection from major infections.

Where should the placenta be located?

The placenta is located where the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus after the end of its movement through the fallopian tube.

Positive aspects of the location of the organ along the posterior wall of the uterus

This does not mean that women who were diagnosed with a placenta along the anterior wall of the uterus during pregnancy need urgent treatment! It’s just that such a pregnant woman should know what possible complications may arise in this case.

There are a lot of options for attaching the placenta and they depend only on the individual characteristics of the expectant mother’s body. This may be the fundus of the uterus, the entire left or right side of the uterus, or the posterior wall. You can find out how the baby's place is located in your case with the help of a second scheduled ultrasound at 19-24 weeks of pregnancy.

If the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus

In such cases, there are some inconveniences:

it is difficult for the obstetrician to listen to the fetal heartbeat,
it is more difficult to palpate the position of the baby in the uterus,
The expectant mother will feel the baby’s movements less clearly and the first tremors may begin later than usual (18-22 weeks), because the placenta in this location acts as a “pillow”, which reduces sensitivity.

But, despite these inconveniences, this arrangement in itself is not dangerous to the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus.

In very rare cases, complications occur:

The likelihood of placenta previa increases. Here you need to use your imagination. Imagine (for greater clarity, use the pictures above) that the placenta is attached to the posterior wall of the uterus very low to the internal os (read). As the abdomen grows, it will rise and by the time of birth, in most cases, it will already be at a safe distance from the pharynx. But if the baby’s place is located low and on the front wall, then over time the uterus will grow and the placenta will shift, increasing the likelihood that it will completely or partially block the internal os. In this situation, the obstetrician-gynecologist will decide in favor of a cesarean section in order to protect the woman in labor from possible bleeding. Therefore, with this location of the placenta, special attention should be paid to the distance to the internal os of the uterus.
If a woman has had a cesarean section or other uterine surgery in the past, the likelihood of placenta accreta increases.
The risk increases. The child in the womb leads an active life: he moves, pushes, squeezes the umbilical cord. This is not dangerous, but if the child seat is secured to the front wall, the risk of detachment increases. When the due date approaches, training contractions may occur and excessive contractions in the unusual location of this organ also increase the likelihood of abruption.

Don’t be scared and try on all possible complications for yourself. They are very rare, in 1-3% of pregnancies; in other cases, childbirth occurs safely naturally.

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.

Collapse

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;
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 cesarean 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, this segment had 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.

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.
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.
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.
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, no characteristic symptoms are 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.

The placenta is a unique organ that appears in a woman’s body only during pregnancy. Its main purpose is to ensure the connection of the fetus with the maternal body and supply it with all the substances necessary for development. The placenta begins to develop from the first week of pregnancy, and its complete formation ends at 15-16 weeks. Where the egg is located during fertilization will determine where the “baby spot” will attach. As a rule, this is the back or front wall of the uterus. It is generally believed that the first option is optimal for the development of the baby. If a diagnosis of “placenta along the anterior wall” is made, then some difficulties may arise during pregnancy. Although in most cases this does not in any way affect the process of bearing a child or natural childbirth.

Risks of this pathology

If the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus, then it can cause the following complications:

Who is susceptible to this pathology?

As a rule, the placenta is attached to the anterior wall in multiparous women. After all, with each subsequent pregnancy, the muscle fibers of the uterus stretch more and more. This especially applies to the anterior section of the uterus, which explains the possible risks of this pathology.

Placenta along the anterior wall: diagnosis

The location of the baby's place can only be determined as a result of a modern ultrasound examination, which expectant mothers must undergo at least 3 times during the entire pregnancy. The placenta is clearly visualized from the 14th week.

The placenta is a “bridge” from the mother’s body to the child, which supplies oxygen and all the necessary substances for its development. This mediator also removes toxins, waste products from the embryo, thus protecting it. Due to the importance of the placenta, doctors closely monitor its condition and location. Let's figure out what the placenta on the anterior wall should be like normally and what it is.

How should it be positioned?

For the proper growth and development of the baby, it is important that the placenta forms properly. Its location is an important factor in the proper course of pregnancy.

Ideally, the placenta should be attached to the back wall of the uterus, in its upper part and closer to the bottom. After all, as the fetus grows, the walls of the uterus stretch very much. But not evenly, but more along the front wall. It thins out significantly. The back wall remains dense and less susceptible to stretching.

Therefore, the attachment of the embryo to the posterior wall is considered natural and normal, because the placenta does not have stretching properties. That is, the placenta along the posterior wall is less subject to loads that burden it. This means that the ideal is for the fetus to attach along the posterior wall and develop the placenta.

Options for placing the placenta can be different: lateral attachment (to the right or left of the back wall), on the front wall of the uterus. The last option is the most dangerous. After all, the placenta on the anterior wall is subject to heavy loads due to stretching of the uterus, activity of the fetus and mother. This is a risk of damage to the placenta or its premature detachment. Also, the placenta may descend close to the os of the uterus, or may block the exit to the birth canal.

Causes of anterior presentation

Why does placenta previa occur along the anterior wall? The reasons for this are not entirely understood. One of the main ones is damage (to the inner layer of the uterus). That is, the consequences of inflammation, curettage, scars from operations. The cause of placenta previa along the anterior wall may be other pathologies. By the way, in primiparous women this pathology is detected much less frequently than in second and third births. Gynecologists explain this by the condition of the inner lining of the uterus.

But the cause of this pathology may not only be the mother. Sometimes the problem lies in the development of the fertilized egg. Developmental lag contributes to the fact that it does not have time to penetrate the endometrium. Implantation then occurs in the lower part of the uterus.

Often the fertilized egg is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, but in its upper part. Then the placenta migrates down.

Diagnostics

Anterior placenta previa is diagnosed in several ways. Palpation gives different sensations with complete and partial presentation. In the first case, the gynecologist feels to the touch that the os of the uterus is completely blocked by the placenta. If the presentation is partial, then the doctor feels the placental tissue and membranes. But lateral and marginal presentation are perceived equally upon examination. That is, the doctor, without additional research, will not be able to determine what type of partial presentation we are talking about. This test is an ultrasound. Therefore, expectant mothers are strongly recommended to attend all scheduled examinations and ultrasound examinations.

Treatment of pregnant women with anterior presentation

The treatment process means constant monitoring and observation by a gynecologist, timely and sometimes additional studies. At the same time, not only the condition of the placenta is monitored, but also the condition of the pregnant woman. In anterior presentation, blood tests check for hemoglobin and blood clotting. After all, anemia or blood incoagulability can be fatal for a woman in the event of bleeding.

If this happens beyond 24 weeks, the woman is admitted to hospital. At the same time, the hospital must have an intensive care unit in case of large blood loss. The main purpose for such women is absolute peace. After the bleeding stops, as a rule, the woman is left in the hospital until delivery, because she needs to be monitored regularly and often. Usually, doctors successfully prolong pregnancy at least until the period when the life of the fetus can be saved.

So, if you have anterior placenta previa, then you should take care of yourself as much as possible. You must protect your stomach, move carefully and avoid any impact on it. Let it even be the desire of one of your relatives to stroke your belly with the best intentions. This is especially dangerous in the later stages, because it can cause false.

Be healthy and calm!

Especially for Elena TOLOCHIK

The placenta is an organ that begins to develop after fertilization of the egg has occurred.

The placenta connects mothers and the fetus; it determines how the pregnancy period will proceed. This organ begins to develop from about 10 weeks of pregnancy, but final formation occurs by 16 weeks. Until this moment, the embryo feeds and develops with the help of the fetal membrane. The condition of the child directly depends on the placenta.

For the normal course of pregnancy, it is very important how it will be formed, as well as its functioning and location. As a rule, during the second trimester, the placenta is attached very high, the distance to the pharynx is about 5 centimeters. During the third trimester, the distance is 7 centimeters. The low location of the above organ is diagnosed when the distance to the pharynx is 3 centimeters.

Correct location

A good place in the uterus for the placenta to attach is the back wall. With the constant development of the child, the uterine muscles begin to stretch, but the distribution of this process begins unevenly. The front wall begins to stretch very well, and the back wall remains practically unchanged. As a result, it turns out that the front wall becomes thin after some time, and the back wall remains the same as it was before the period of conception.

That is why it turns out that it is best when the placenta is attached to the back wall, the stress becomes minimal. Also, do not miss the fact that the fetus can attach to other parts of the uterus. A lateral position may also occur, this is the norm. As a rule, if the placenta is located on the anterior wall, one cannot speak with certainty about the deviation; of course, any other place would be much better. There are a number of positive factors for the placenta being on the posterior wall.

Lack of mobility. Due to the fact that the back wall of the uterus does not stretch, it is denser and thicker. When the contraction of the above organ occurs, there will be no stress, and accordingly the possibility of placental abruption decreases.
Minimal injury. When the fetus begins to move and rotate, the process of touching the placenta does not occur.
Minimum likelihood of occurrence from puff pastry.

More on the topic: Nodular uterine fibroids

If a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with anterior placenta localization, there is no need to immediately panic and stress yourself out, since there is nothing to worry about. As a rule, even with this diagnosis, a woman can give birth to a baby without complications. The only factor in the above diagnosis is constant monitoring by a leading physician.

What danger could there be?

As previously said, the muscles of the anterior wall have the ability to stretch, and this can cause damage to the placenta from stretch marks, and the functioning of this organ will not be the same as before. In certain situations, placental abruption can occur. Due to the constant growth and stretching of the uterine walls, there is a possibility of the anterior wall drooping down.

It is extremely rare, but it can still happen in second-bearing women that the above organ can descend so much that the cervix of the uterus is blocked, and this is dangerous because the baby’s path to the exit is blocked. If this situation occurs, then the pregnant woman must be operated on (cesarean section), since she will not be able to give birth herself. Also, if the placenta is along the anterior wall, the likelihood of labor starting ahead of schedule increases, and in the first two trimesters the possibility of miscarriage increases.

If the above diagnosis is made, then a pregnant woman may be diagnosed with gestosis, and the baby may be diagnosed with oxygen starvation. This occurs due to the fact that the baby begins to put pressure on the placenta and cuts off the oxygen itself.

Factors influencing the location of the placenta

In addition to the main reason - stretching of the uterine muscles, there are also certain factors that can affect the prolapse of the above organ. Experts identify several types of reasons.

Deformation of the internal walls of the uterus, which can be affected by any inflammatory process.
and either an infection.
Previously undergone surgical interventions, after which adhesions or small scars could form on the uterus.
Bearing multiple children.

More on the topic: Diagnosis and treatment of lactostasis

Also, one of the reasons may be the fact that the fetus attached to the wall at a time when it had already descended to the lower part. According to statistics, women who give birth not for the first time are at risk.

Classifications

According to statistics, placenta of the anterior wall in the third trimester of pregnant women occurs in approximately 3%. During the second trimester, the diagnosis is made after an ultrasound scan, it is discovered that the place where the fetus is located is quite low.

This occurs because the placenta moves as the uterus begins to grow, thereby moving the placenta upward. Two classifications of presentation of the above organ have been recorded, which are determined during the period of bearing a child, as well as in the initial stage of the birth process.

Presentation at the initial stage of labor when the cervix opens.

Central.
Regional.
Lateral.

The result of an ultrasound examination can show the extent to which the placenta is located on the anterior wall.

First. The organ is localized in the lower part of the uterus at a distance of at least 3 centimeters from the pharynx.
Second. The above organ is localized near the pharynx, but does not cover it.
Third. The pharynx is completely covered by the lower part of the placenta, leaving a piece of the baby's place, which is located asymmetrically.
Fourth. The main part of the placenta completely covers the pharynx, the edges are all symmetrical.

Symptoms of manifestation. Diagnosis.

The expectant mother does not feel the moment when the placenta is attached to the front wall. That is why quite often it is not possible to make a diagnosis on time. In certain cases, a pregnant woman may experience bleeding from the vagina, which may be periodic. This symptom occurs in the first stages of pregnancy.

In cases where a woman is in the last trimester of pregnancy and she has bleeding, this is the main signal that the placenta is premature.

Features of the above diagnosis.

The baby's heartbeat is remote, it is very difficult to listen to it, sometimes it is not possible at all.
A pregnant woman's belly can be huge, which can cause stretch marks to appear.
The baby's movements are felt weaker.