What to do if the placenta is low

A low-lying placenta is a type of placenta previa, which can be divided into three types: complete placenta previa, partial placenta previa, and low-lying placenta. Complete placenta previa means that the embryonic tissue completely covers the internal cervical opening; partial placenta previa means that only part of the embryonic tissue covers the cervical opening. Relatively speaking, low-lying placenta is a relatively mild type among the three types of placenta previa, but pregnant mothers should not ignore it.

So what is the cause of a low-lying placenta? Generally, if the pregnant mother is an older woman (over 35 years old), and has uterine malformations, uterine fibroids, scars, etc., the chance of placenta previa will increase. In addition, the probability of this happening is greatly increased for pregnant women who have given birth to multiple children or have a history of placenta previa.

When the pregnant mother belongs to one of the above-mentioned conditions, she should pay more attention to prevent the occurrence of low-lying placenta in time.

Is low lying placenta a risk?

If a pregnant mother discovers a low-lying placenta before 28 weeks of pregnancy, there is no need to worry too much. In a low-lying placenta, the placenta may or may not change position as the pregnancy progresses.

If the placenta is still low at 28 weeks, it is placenta previa, which is more dangerous and is one of the main causes of bleeding before delivery. See your doctor immediately if you experience excessive vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

What should I pay attention to when having a low-lying placenta?

1. Avoid squatting

When a pregnant mother has a low-lying placenta, she should carry out proper lifestyle care, but avoid any excessive exercise, such as running, jumping, etc., and some postures are definitely not suitable, such as squatting.

Pregnant women already have a protruding abdomen, and their lower limbs bear a lot of pressure, so it will be more difficult for them to squat. For pregnant women with a low-lying placenta, if they squat, the cervix will dilate, and the embryo located lower will be stretched, causing separation and bleeding. Therefore, for pregnant women with low-lying placenta, squatting is definitely not necessary.

2. Strictly observe the patient's condition

If there is heavy bleeding, repeated bleeding, or labor has already occurred, termination of pregnancy should be considered according to the situation. It is recommended to keep close observation and follow the instructions of the attending physician.