Placenta Previa

Placenta previa means the placenta partially or completely covers the internal cervical os on ultrasound after the second trimester. Many low-lying placentas found early migrate away as the uterus grows; persistent previa at term requires cesarean delivery and is associated with significant antepartum and intrapartum bleeding risk, especially with prior cesareans (which also raise risk of placenta accreta spectrum).

Each link opens the full review on the publisher's site in a new tab.

• ACOG Committee Opinion 764: Medically Indicated Late-Preterm and Early-Term Deliveries↗ACOG
• SMFM Consult Series #44: Management of bleeding in the late preterm period↗SMFM

• ·Detected on routine ultrasound before it causes problemsReview sources ↓
• ·Planned cesarean at 36–37+6 weeks is standard and safer than waiting for bleeding or laborReview sources ↓

• ·Antepartum bleeding (often painless, sudden)Review sources ↓
• ·Preterm birth, PPH, and placenta accreta spectrum (especially with prior cesarean)Review sources ↓

• ·Pelvic rest (no intercourse, no vaginal exams) once diagnosedReview sources ↓
• ·Follow-up ultrasound around 32 weeks to confirm positionReview sources ↓
• ·Delivery at a facility equipped for hemorrhage and possible transfusionReview sources ↓

ACOG Committee Opinion 764 / Practice Bulletin on placenta previa and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine guidance recommend planned late-preterm cesarean and referral to accreta specialists when accreta is suspected.

For most topics, guidelines from ACOG, WHO, and other major bodies broadly agree on the core safety points (when to act in an emergency, informed-consent standards, monitoring baselines). Where reasonable people — and even guidelines — differ tends to be around thresholds (when to start or stop something), preferences (comfort, environment, support), and values (how you weigh small risks against benefits). Use the questions below to explore those pieces with your care team.

Educational only. Your care team can help you weigh what applies to your specific situation.

• Cesarean BirthPlanned and unplanned cesarean: what's involved and what to consider.
• Planned (Scheduled) CesareanA cesarean scheduled ahead of time — usually for a specific medical reason (placenta previa, transverse baby, prior classical incision, some twin situations) or, less commonly, on maternal request. Knowing what to expect on the day reduces surprises.
• Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)Bleeding of ≥ 500 mL after vaginal birth or ≥ 1000 mL after cesarean — or any bleeding making you unstable. Most PPH is treatable when caught fast. Every U.S. birthing unit now runs a standardized 'hemorrhage bundle' with clear escalation steps.
• Prenatal Ultrasounds — What Each One Is ForDating scan, NT scan, anatomy scan, growth scans, biophysical profiles, and non-medical 'keepsake' ultrasounds — what they tell you, and what they don't.

A short BRAIN-style set you can bring to any conversation about interventions, monitoring, or care decisions.

• ?Why are you recommending this now — is it urgent, routine, or optional?
• ?What happens if we wait an hour (or longer) before deciding?
• ?What signs would tell us this is working — or that we need to change course?
• ?What are the alternatives, including doing nothing?
• ?What would you recommend if this were your family?
• ?What would change your recommendation?

Tap a source to open the original guideline or review in a new tab.

• ·ACOG Committee Opinion 764: Medically Indicated Late-Preterm and Early-Term Deliveries↗ — ACOG
• ·SMFM Consult Series #44: Management of bleeding in the late preterm period↗ — SMFM

Plain-language paraphrase. Re-verify before publish.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-03

• v1.0.0 · 2026-07-03 · LlaMamma editors

  Initial placenta previa topic.

New guidance from ACOG, WHO, Evidence Based Birth, or other listed sources is recorded here and can be updated remotely without a new app release.