Did you have an anomaly scan between 18-21 weeks of pregnancy? Did you see the word ' Anterior Placenta ' on that scan report? When you saw it, you probably felt a little scared, "Oh, is this some kind of problem?" Many mothers feel that way. But it's really nothing to be afraid of. So today, let's talk clearly about what this 'Anterior Placenta' is and whether it has any effects.
First, let's see, what is this placenta?
Simply put, the placenta is a special organ that develops inside your uterus only during pregnancy. It's like your baby's 'life support system.' The baby's umbilical cord is attached to this placenta.
Here are some of the main things the placenta does:
- It takes nutrients and oxygen from your body and passes them to your baby through the umbilical cord.
- It removes carbon dioxide and other waste products from the baby's blood and expels them through your body.
In short, the placenta performs most of the functions of the baby's lungs, kidneys, and liver until the baby is born.
The placenta can be located in different places within the uterus . It gets its name based on its location.
| Placental Position | Simple meaning |
|---|---|
| Anterior Placenta | It is located on the front wall of the uterus, which means on your stomach side. |
| Posterior Placenta | It is located on the back wall of the uterus, meaning towards your back. |
| Fundal Placenta (High Placenta) | Located at the top of the uterus. |
| Lateral Placenta | Located on the right or left side wall of the uterus. |
What is the effect of an 'Anterior Placenta'?
Anterior Placenta is not a disease or an abnormal condition. It is very common. It usually does not cause any health problems for you or your baby.
However, some things you may feel may be a little different.
How to feel the baby's movements (stirring)
Usually, a mother starts to feel the baby move around 18 weeks. But if you have an 'Anterior Placenta', the placenta acts like a thick cushion between your stomach and your baby. Therefore, you may feel a little less of the baby's movements. You may feel a little later and the movements you feel may be less intense. This is very normal, so don't worry.
Listening to the baby's heartbeat
When you go for your monthly checkup, the doctor uses a small device (Doppler) to listen to the baby's heartbeat, right? Because the placenta is in front, it can sometimes be a little difficult to hear the sound clearly. But that doesn't mean there's something wrong with the baby. It's like hearing a sound from behind a solid wall.
Are there causes and risks of an 'Anterior Placenta'?
There is no clear reason why the fertilized egg actually implants in the front wall of the uterus. It is a completely natural occurrence. That location does not harm the functioning of the placenta in any way.
However, there are two very rare risks that you should be aware of. These don't happen to everyone, but they're important to be aware of.
1. Baby's position and the duration of labor
With an 'Anterior Placenta', sometimes the baby's head is facing down, but instead of facing your back, it can be facing your stomach. This is what we medically call the `Occiput Posterior (OP)` position. If the baby is positioned this way, it can be a little harder for the baby to descend through the pelvis during labor. Therefore, the labor may take a little longer . But don't worry, most of the time, once labor begins, the baby will automatically turn into the correct position, which is the `Occiput Anterior (OA)` position, which is facing your back.
2. Placenta Previa
This is the condition we should be most concerned about. But this does not happen to everyone with 'Anterior Placenta'. `Placenta Previa` is when the placenta does not move up the uterus, but rather lies at the bottom of the uterus, completely or partially covering the cervix, or the opening through which the baby comes out .
Imagine, if there was a big cupboard in front of the main door of the house, you wouldn't be able to get out, right? ` Placenta previa` is something like that.
If this is the case, you may experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Also, a cesarean section (C-section) may be necessary because the baby cannot come out normally. If your scan shows a low-lying placenta, your doctor will continue to monitor you for this. In most cases, the placenta will move up on its own as your uterus grows.
If you have an 'Anterior Placenta', what should you do?
There really isn't any specific treatment for this, because it's not a disease. But there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- Don't worry about feeling less baby move: Especially if this is your first baby, you're probably looking forward to feeling your baby move. It can be sad and scary when you feel less. But understand that this is normal.
- This is not your fault: we can't control where the placenta develops. So don't worry about it.
- Follow your doctor's advice: Have scans as your doctor tells you. Especially if the placenta is low-lying, rest as your doctor tells you, and go to the hospital immediately if you notice any bleeding.
- You can expect a normal delivery: If you do not have `Placenta Previa`, having an `Anterior Placenta` will not interfere with a normal delivery.
If you have any questions or even the slightest concerns about this, talk to your doctor. Don't keep it to yourself. He or she will review your scan reports and give you the best advice for you and your baby.
Take-Home Message
- Anterior Placenta is a condition where the placenta is located on the front wall of the uterus. This is a very common and normal condition.
- This usually does not cause any harm to the baby or the mother.
- Because the placenta is anterior, you may feel your baby's movements a little later or less often. This is normal.
- The presence of 'Anterior Placenta' alone is not a reason for a cesarean section.
- The only risk to be concerned about is that it could develop into a condition called `Placenta Previa`, where the cervix is covered. This will be monitored by the doctor.
- Always talk to your doctor about your scan report and any concerns you may have.
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