A condition known as marginal placenta previa can occur during pregnancy in which the placenta is positioned in close proximity to the cervix. This can still be dangerous for the mother and the unborn child, even though it might not completely block the birth canal. It’s critical to comprehend how this impacts the pregnancy and the management strategies available.
Particularly later in pregnancy, marginal placenta previa can occasionally result in complications like bleeding. This can make getting medical advice and keeping a close eye on things crucial for a safe pregnancy. The illness may limit a mother’s options for delivery; some may require a cesarean section to prevent complications during childbirth.
Expectant mothers can manage the situation and lower any potential risks by working closely with their healthcare providers and being aware of the signs. Having knowledge about the potential consequences of marginal placenta previa enables families to make informed decisions at every stage of pregnancy.
| Aspect | Explanation |
| What is marginal placenta previa? | This is when the placenta is located low in the uterus, near the cervix but not fully covering it. |
| Why is it dangerous? | It can cause bleeding during pregnancy and increase the risk of complications during delivery. |
| What does it affect? | It can impact the delivery process, often leading to the need for a C-section to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. |
- What is it?
- Causes of occurrence
- Features of the course of pregnancy
- How to determine?
- Possible complications
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What is it?
Physicians define placenta previa as a pathology in which the internal cervical os is in close proximity to the site of initial placental attachment. Normally, during implantation, a fertilized egg attaches itself to the fundus, or upper portion of the uterus. The placental tissue’s original location is mostly dictated by the location of the future chorion. It is near it because it was created from fetal components. Future placental tissue formation occurs here if the fertilized egg, for whatever reason, moves to the internal cervical os. Placenta previa, a pathology, develops as a result.
Physicians differentiate between multiple clinical forms of this illness. The degree to which the placental tissue comes into contact with the internal cervical os determines them. Marginal presentation is one of these clinical variations. Here, the edges of the placental tissue are in contact with the cervical os, but not the entire surface of the tissue.
When the placenta is positioned low in the uterus, close to the cervix, but not completely covering it, it can cause marginal placenta previa. This illness may result in pregnancy-related issues like hemorrhaging and possible delivery hazards. Monitoring is necessary because it may have an impact on the health of the mother and the unborn child, particularly as the pregnancy goes on. A safer delivery and risk management are ensured by receiving the proper medical care.
Causes of occurrence
A wide variety of causal factors can lead to the development of this pathology. Quite often, this pathological condition is preceded by chronic diseases of the reproductive organs. Women who suffer from endometriosis, adnexitis, cervicitis and other diseases of the genital organs before pregnancy are at increased risk for developing this pathology. The risk of developing marginal presentation is also quite high in women who have undergone surgical operations on the uterus or its appendages. Doctors note that the development of marginal presentation can also be facilitated by scars on the uterus that appeared as a result of a previously performed cesarean section. The development of marginal placenta previa can also be caused by the consequences of infectious diseases. Thus, coccal flora affecting the internal uterine walls leads to changes in the mucous membranes, which contributes to the disruption of implantation. In this case, the fertilized egg usually descends to the lower parts of the uterus, where the endometrium is more functional.
This pathology can also arise from congenital abnormalities of the female genital organs. Therefore, there is a slight increase in the risk of placenta previa in women with bicornuate uteruses. Another factor that may make it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant in the region of the uterine fundus is the existence of polyps and myomatous nodes.
There are other potential causes of placenta previa besides a woman’s medical conditions. The pathology may also develop as a result of certain abnormalities in the chorion’s development. Some trophoblast genetic diseases prevent specific enzymes from being needed for implantation into the uterine wall. Because there is no attachment to the uterus in this instance, the pregnancy ends spontaneously almost at the start of its development.
Medical professionals have observed that women who give birth to a second and subsequent child have a slightly increased risk of developing marginal placenta previa. The risk of marginal placenta previa increases if the prior pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section.
Features of the course of pregnancy
The process of becoming pregnant can be greatly complicated by marginal placenta previa. This type of pregnancy is typically marked by an uncomfortable journey along with sporadic negative symptom appearance. It is important to note that the gestation is still relatively calmer with extreme placenta previa than with complete. The outlook for the duration of the pregnancy is better in this instance. With this pathology, adverse symptoms typically manifest 16–20 weeks into pregnancy. They can rise by the third trimester. During the initial weeks following fertilization, the expectant mother might not experience any noticeable discomfort.
How to determine?
The location of the placental tissue is currently quite easy to determine. For this, doctors resort to prescribing ultrasound examinations. In case of marginal placenta previa, it is undesirable to conduct transvaginal ultrasound. In this case, the possibility of damaging the low-lying placental tissue is quite high. In this situation, it is better to choose transabdominal ultrasound. The location of the placenta can also be determined by conducting a routine vaginal examination. However, in case of marginal placenta previa, it is often not worth resorting to this method. If such an examination is carried out carelessly, the delicate tissue of the placenta can be damaged. That is why doctors prefer ultrasound methods.
The following further studies are also recommended for the expectant mother if the diagnostic process revealed marginal presentation. They are required to evaluate the dynamics of this pathology’s trajectory.
In the event that the pathology was discovered between weeks 12 and 16 of pregnancy, the placental tissue’s location could still alter. The placenta’s upward displacement is referred to as migration by doctors. It only ends by the third trimester of pregnancy and progresses fairly slowly. Due to this, the placenta’s presentational localization is ascertained multiple times over the course of giving birth. Regretfully, placental migration is not always the result.
Possible complications
The appearance of blood from the genital tract is the most noticeable symptom that typically prompts a pregnant woman with a marginal placenta previa to consult with an obstetrician-gynecologist. Blood typically appears in this pathology following heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. Blood on underwear can only occur as a singular symptom. It can occasionally be accompanied by the onset of abdominal pain.
A pregnant woman should not put off getting medical attention if she notices vaginal bleeding and is experiencing excruciating stomach pain.
After sex, bleeding from the genital tract may also occur when the placenta is positioned extremely low. It is necessary to talk with an obstetrician-gynecologist about the possibility of having sex while dealing with such a pathology. In most cases, physicians advise patients with marginal placenta previa to limit their sexual activity and to take it easy. Many expectant mothers mix up placental and umbilical cord diseases. Therefore, there is no connection between the placental tissue’s marginal presentation and the umbilical cord’s marginal discharge. Marginal umbilical cord abruption is merely a physiological aspect of a specific pregnancy; placenta previa is a pathology.
An equally dangerous complication that can develop during pregnancy complicated by marginal placenta previa is the development of placental tissue abruption from the walls of the uterus. This pathology usually occurs as a consequence of traumatic effects. The more the placental tissue detaches from the wall of the uterus, the less favorable the prognosis for the course of pregnancy. To avoid the development of possible placental abruption, doctors make up a whole range of various recommendations. Thus, contraindications include intensive sports activities, as well as running. A pregnant woman whose pregnancy is proceeding with the development of marginal placenta previa is prohibited from lifting too heavy objects. It is very important that the expectant mother rests more.
A doctor may forbid a pregnant woman with a marginal placenta previa from going to the pool in addition to participating in sports. Reviews from numerous pregnant women who experienced this pathology support this. Any physical activity can be restricted in cases where the patient’s condition is very severe, and bed rest may even be advised.
Severe stress is another factor that can make the situation worse. Adhere strictly to such recommendations for the expectant mother. Preventing low placenta infection is an additional challenge in complex pregnancies. Simultaneously, pathogenic organisms typically enter the uterus through the external genitalia. A pregnant woman should strictly adhere to personal hygiene guidelines in order to avoid contracting such an infection. The fetus growing inside the mother’s womb may also be in danger due to the placenta’s extreme position in relation to the uterine pharyn.
Fetoplacental insufficiency may arise from uteroplacental blood flow violations. The fetus’s intrauterine development is substantially less intense in such a circumstance.
Although marginal placenta previa can be a dangerous condition during pregnancy, it is treatable with the right medical attention. It’s critical that expectant mothers heed their doctor’s advice and schedule routine checkups in order to keep an eye on things.
Bleeding and possible delivery complications are the main risks. Knowing these risks can help guarantee that mother and child get the best care available.
Many women with marginal placenta previa have successful pregnancies and safe deliveries by being aware of the symptoms and maintaining close communication with healthcare providers. Early detection and cautious management are crucial.
