The difference between the three is just how deep the placenta goes. According to American Pregnancy, Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta attaches itself too deep into the uterine wall but does not penetrate the muscle.
Placenta increta, which is the most common, happens when the placenta goes deeper and penetrates the uterine muscle. Lastly, the most dangerous and rare placenta percreta occurs when the placenta penetrates the entire uterine wall and attaches itself to another organ such as the bladder.
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Causes of Placenta accreta
While there is no definite response to what causes placenta accreta, the condition has been closely related to placenta previa, a condition where the placenta is unusually low in the uterus, next or covering the cervix. This can lead to premature deliveries and a compulsory caesarean section. Placenta accreta is also associated with having cesarean during previous pregnancies. Multiple cesareans are present in over 60% of placenta accreta cases.
What the risks to mother and baby?
Premature delivery and subsequent complications are the primary concerns for the baby. Bleeding during the third trimester may be a warning sign that placenta accreta exists, and when placenta accreta occurs it commonly results in a premature delivery.
To the mother, the primary concern for the mother is hemorrhaging during manual attempts to detach the placenta. Severe hemorrhaging can be life threatening.
Other risks include damage to the uterus and other organs during the removal of the placenta. It could be removed through a surgery known as Hysterectomy but the results involve losing the uterus and ability to conceive.
Little can be done to prevent placenta accrete or cure it after it is diagnosed. However, your healthcare provider should monitor your pregnancy and make plans for delivery through surgery to reduce the risk of death and spare the uterus. Still, placenta accreta is usually severe resulting in hysterectomy.
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