Features of the location of the placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus. Placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus: norm or pathology? Placenta on the right wall

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms in early pregnancy. This is an embryonic structure that provides the embryo with oxygen and nutrients, as well as an excretory function. It also plays a protective role, protecting the fetus from infections. Most often, the child's place is fixed in the posterior and lateral areas, but it is not uncommon for the placenta to be located along the anterior wall of the uterus. If there are no other pathological abnormalities, this situation is not dangerous for a woman and does not need additional treatment.

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What does this mean?

The localization of the chorion along the anterior wall of the uterus is not a pathological abnormality, however, a woman needs careful medical supervision. A child's place develops on the 7th day in that part of the uterus where the implantation of a fertilized egg took place - in the anterior, posterior and lateral regions. However, fixation of the placenta to the back wall near the bottom of the uterus is considered more favorable for the woman.

With intensive growth of the fetus, the walls of the reproductive organ gradually stretch, but this process is uneven. It is the anterior wall of the uterus that is subjected to the greatest load. When the muscle layer is stretched, it becomes thinner, while the density and thickness of the posterior sections change little. In addition, the anterior part is more quickly injured when the child is struck and moved, therefore, there is a threat of damage and premature detachment of the placenta.

Unlike the muscular layer of the uterus, the placenta does not have the ability to stretch, so fixing it on a dense back wall near the bottom of the uterus is the best option for a woman.

However, there is also good news. If the chorion is attached to the anterior uterine segment, it migrates upward faster than with other fixation options.

If the placenta is 6 cm or more above the internal os of the uterus, this is considered normal and the woman should not worry. Most often, pregnancy proceeds without deviations, and delivery occurs in a safe manner.

Reasons for this attachment

Not all processes during pregnancy proceed smoothly; for some reason, the embryo attaches to the side or front of the reproductive organ. The mechanism of the phenomenon has not been studied in detail, but there are predisposing factors:

Injuries to the walls of the organ;
The presence of scars and adhesions;
endometriosis;
The presence of myomatous nodes;
Delayed development of the fetal egg.

Most often, the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus in violation of the integrity of its inner walls. This happens after numerous scrapings, abortions, caesarean sections. The structure of the endometrium is affected by inflammatory processes, endometriosis.

Such fastening of the chorion is rarely detected in nulliparous women, most often it is found during subsequent pregnancies. This is explained by changes in the inner walls of the reproductive organ during childbirth.

Sometimes a fertilized egg develops more slowly than necessary. Because of this, the embryo does not have time to penetrate the uterine wall in time and is attached to the front or lower part of it.

The localization of the embryo in one or another part of the uterus means that at the time of the introduction of the embryo there was the best mucous membrane. That is, in this segment there was a good blood supply and sufficient thickness.

How does localization affect childbearing?

Many doctors consider the location of the placenta along the anterior wall of the uterus to be normal. For the course of pregnancy and childbirth, it does not matter whether the child's place is located on the front or back wall. Another parameter is much more important - the height of the location of the child's place from the pharynx of the uterus. Low fastening is dangerous for the development of presentation and spontaneous miscarriage of the fetus.

Possible complications of anterior attachment of the placenta to the uterus

During a screening examination of pregnant women, the location of the placenta must be determined. This allows you to take into account all the risks and prevent pathology in time. Despite the fact that the fetus is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, this does not necessarily affect the course of pregnancy. It can proceed without complications and end with a successful delivery. However, certain dangers still exist.

The risk of placental abruption increases. The growing fetus exerts pressure on the uterine wall and pushes intensively, and the strength of the movements increases in proportion to the gestational age. Closer to childbirth, so-called training contractions occur, during which the uterus contracts. The child's place cannot follow its contractions, so the risk of detachment increases. If the placenta is attached high, the uterine wall has no scars, then the woman is not in danger.
Fetal hypoxia. Location along the anterior uterine wall can impede the supply of nutrients to the child, this is dangerous for the development of placental insufficiency and preeclampsia. Pathology develops with low placentation, when the grown fetus compresses the blood vessels. As a result, blood circulation and metabolism between mother and child are disturbed.
Placenta previa. The most favorable situation is the placement of the chorion at the back, since as the uterus grows, it shifts upward. Anterior fixation creates certain problems. If for some reason the embryo is attached too close to the internal os, then with an increase in the size of the uterus, the child's place may slide down. At the same time, it completely or partially closes the exit of the uterus. In the case of a full presentation, the birth of a child cannot go naturally, there is a threat of bleeding and miscarriage.
The risk of dense attachment and ingrowth of the embryonic structure increases. Existing scars interfere with the normal fixation of the chorion. However, pathology is quite rare and for its development there must be some conditions:

The afterbirth is in front;
There are cicatricial changes in the lining of the uterus;
Low mounting child seat.

Placenta accreta to the uterine wall is possible in the presence of all 3 factors.

Previa is dangerous placental abruption, bleeding and miscarriage of the fetus.

How is the location of the placenta determined?

The location of the child's place is determined during a planned ultrasound. In the absence of any pathologies of pregnancy, no characteristic symptoms are observed, the woman's well-being does not suffer.

Some things to keep in mind during pregnancy:

The movement of the fetus is felt weaker, sometimes later than the due date;
When listening to the baby's heartbeat, the sound will be more deaf, distant;
The size of the abdomen is slightly enlarged;
Squeezing the abdomen and any injury to it creates a greater danger than when the placenta is located behind.

If there is a front presentation, it is determined by the doctor during a gynecological examination.

The anterior location of the child's place is not a pathological deviation, many doctors consider the situation to be completely normal. If a woman does not have gynecological diseases (fibroids, cysts on the uterus) and cicatricial changes in the myometrium, then the pregnancy proceeds without pathology and ends in term delivery. Since the situation is accompanied by certain risks, a woman needs careful medical supervision.

The placenta is a "bridge" from the mother's body to the child, which supplies oxygen and all the necessary substances for its development. This intermediary also removes toxins, the waste products of the embryo, thus protecting it. Due to the importance of the placenta, doctors closely monitor its condition and location. Let's figure out what the norm should be and what the placenta is along the anterior wall.

How should it be located?

For the proper growth and development of the baby, it is important that the placenta is formed properly. Its location is an important factor in the proper course of pregnancy.

Ideally, the placenta should be attached to the back wall of the uterus, in its upper part and closer to the bottom. Indeed, as the fetus grows, the walls of the uterus are very stretched. But not evenly, but more along the front wall. She thins out considerably. The back wall remains dense and less prone to stretching.

Therefore, the attachment of the embryo to the back wall is considered natural and normal, because the placenta does not have the properties of stretching. That is, the placenta along the back wall is less subject to loads that burden it. This means that the attachment of the fetus along the back wall and the development of the placenta is ideal.

Options for placing the placenta can be different: lateral attachment (to the right or left of the back wall), on the anterior wall of the uterus. The last option is the most dangerous. After all, the placenta on the anterior wall is subject to heavy loads due to uterine distension, the activity of the fetus and mother. This is the risk of damage to the placenta or its premature detachment. Also, the placenta can descend close to the pharynx of the uterus, and can block the exit to the birth canal.

Causes of anterior presentation

Why is placenta previa along the anterior wall? The reasons for this are not well understood. One of the main ones is damage (of the inner layer of the uterus). That is, the consequences of inflammation, curettage, scars from operations. The cause of placenta previa along the anterior wall may be its other pathologies. By the way, in primiparous women, this pathology is found much less frequently than in the second, third births. Gynecologists explain this by the state of the inner lining of the uterus.

But the cause of this pathology can be not only mother. Sometimes the problem lies in the development of the fetal egg. The developmental delay contributes to the fact that it does not have time to infiltrate the endometrium on time. Then implantation takes place in the lower part of the uterus.

Often the fetal egg is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, but in its upper part. Then the placenta migrates down.

Diagnostics

Anterior placenta previa is diagnosed in several ways. Palpation gives different sensations with full and partial presentation. In the first case, the gynecologist feels to the touch that the cervix of the uterus is completely blocked by the placenta. If the presentation is partial, then the doctor feels the placental tissue and fetal membranes. But the lateral and marginal presentations are equally perceived during examination. That is, a doctor without additional research will not be able to determine what kind of partial presentation in question. This study is an ultrasound. Therefore, expectant mothers are strongly recommended to attend all scheduled examinations and ultrasound examinations.

Treatment of pregnant women with anterior presentation

The treatment process means constant monitoring and observation by a gynecologist, timely, and sometimes additional studies. At the same time, not only the state of the placenta, but also the pregnant woman is monitored. In an anterior presentation, blood tests are checked for hemoglobin and blood clotting. After all, anemia or blood incoagulability can be fatal for a woman in case of bleeding.

If this happens for more than 24 weeks, the woman is admitted to the hospital. At the same time, the hospital should have an intensive care unit in case of a large loss of blood. The main purpose of such women is absolute peace. After stopping the bleeding, as a rule, a woman is left in the hospital until delivery, because she needs to be monitored regularly and often. Usually, doctors successfully prolong the pregnancy at least until the life of the fetus can be saved.

So, if you have an anterior placenta previa, then you should take care of yourself as much as possible. You must protect the stomach, move carefully and avoid impacts on it in every possible way. Let it even be the desire of one of the relatives to stroke your stomach with the best of intentions. This is especially dangerous in the later stages, because it can cause false,.

Be healthy and calm!

Specially for Elena TOLOCHIK

The placenta is formed from the onset of pregnancy and by 16 weeks is already a fully functioning organ. The main function of the placenta is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus, and it also removes waste products (toxins and toxins) from the body. The site of its attachment affects the normal functioning of the placenta. So, the ideal location for the placenta is the upper third of the posterior wall of the uterus. In our article, we will consider the features of the course of pregnancy if the placenta is located along the anterior wall of the uterus.

Localization of the placenta along the anterior wall of the uterus

Attachment of the placenta along the anterior wall occurs more often in women who have previously had pregnancies. During pregnancy, the muscle fibers of the predominantly anterior wall of the uterus are stretched, which explains the possible risks with this location of the placenta. The lower segment of the uterus is especially stretched, so if the placenta is located high on the anterior wall of the uterus, then this does not cause much concern. When the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus, the expectant mother may begin to feel the movements of the fetus later than with the posterior location of the placenta, and they will also be much weaker. The exact location of the placenta can only be established during the procedure.

What are the possible risks if the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus?

If the placenta is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, then the risk of the following complications increases:

So, we examined the features of the course of pregnancy and childbirth in the case of the location of the placenta along the anterior wall of the uterus, and also considered the possible risks. I would like to emphasize that an important condition for preventing possible complications is the timely passage of ultrasound and other recommended studies.

The formation of the placenta along the anterior wall of the uterus is a variant of the norm, but in some cases it may increase the risk of developing pregnancy complications.

Possible risks

Increased Risk low location and . If the placenta initially forms low enough, then as the uterus enlarges, it will fall closer and closer to the internal pharynx, which can lead to full or partial presentation;
Increased Risk normally located placenta. The anterior wall of the uterus undergoes significant changes during pregnancy: it is significantly stretched and thinned. With increasing gestational age, the sensitivity of the uterus increases. Even minor impacts (, stroking the stomach) can lead to and. The placenta cannot contract, as a result of which its detachment may occur;
Increased risk of true placental accreta. This pathology is quite rare. An increased risk of its occurrence occurs in women with a history of surgical interventions on the uterus or damage due to abortion, diagnostic curettage. In this case, the placenta can form and adhere to the area of the scar or internal damage;
Auscultation difficulties. The location of the placenta on the anterior wall can make it difficult to listen to the fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope: the tones are heard more deaf.

Information It should be noted that the location of the placenta along the anterior wall of the uterus is not a pathological condition, and the risk of complications is extremely small. In most cases, women calmly bear a child and give birth through the natural birth canal without any negative consequences.

Being in euphoria all day today, I didn’t pay attention at all to the fact that my placenta was located on the front wall of the uterus ... and now it kicked! I and my first child had an anterior location and all ended in premature birth of the CS due to placental abruption (((I rummaged around on the Internet, this is what I found:

What are the risks of placing the placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus?

1. Risk of placental abruption. Why? Let's go back to anatomy. Above, we talked about why the location of the placenta along the back wall is most preferable for the mother and fetus. As we already know, the anterior wall of the uterus is more extensible and thin compared to the posterior wall. A growing child presses on the front wall of the uterus, and also pushes intensively. The longer the gestation period, the greater the susceptibility of the uterus to external influences. When a child moves, when a woman strokes her stomach, training contractions of the uterus - Braxton-Higgs contractions - may occur. These contractions are not dangerous for either the mother or the unborn child, however, if the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus, in some cases there may be a risk of placental abruption. Contracting, the uterus decreases in size, but what about the placenta? If the placenta is well attached, there are no scars or other pathological changes on the uterus, then everything should be fine.

2. Risk of placenta previa. Here, too, anatomy plays a role. If the placenta is located on the back wall, then as the uterus grows and as the placenta itself develops, the placenta always moves up. So conceived by nature, to reduce the risk of placenta previa and, as a consequence, bleeding. However, if the placenta is located in front, then certain problems may arise here. If the embryo did not initially attach very low in the uterus, then the placenta will grow high, or at a normal distance from the cervix. But if for some reason the embryo was too attached to the exit from the uterus, then the placenta growing on the front wall will not grow upwards, but will, as it grows, go down, closer and closer to the cervix. This is dangerous with partial presentation, or when the placenta completely covers the internal os, making natural childbirth impossible and increasing the risk of premature placental abruption and dangerous bleeding.

3. Risk of tight attachment and true accreta of the placenta. This type of pathology of pregnancy is rare, but it should not be forgotten by those who have undergone caesarean section and other surgical interventions on the uterus in the past. Tight attachment and true accreta of the placenta can occur in those who have had any internal damage to the uterus, for example: abortion with curettage, caesarean section, manual removal of the placenta and, as a result, damage to the internal surface of the uterus, as well as perforation and rupture of the uterus , which is extremely rare. The scars formed after such actions in the uterus interfere with the normal attachment of the placenta. However, placenta increment in such cases can occur only under the influence of certain factors and a combination of factors:

An inconsistent or improperly healed scar in the uterus;

Low attachment of the placenta;

A prerequisite is the location of the placenta along the anterior wall.

If these three factors are observed, the risk of dense attachment or true accreta of the placenta increases significantly.

However, we want to say to all expectant mothers: do not be discouraged if you find out that your placenta is not quite attached in the uterus as it should be. The location of the placenta on the side or in front is not a pathology, and for it to become a danger, certain conditions must be met. With a placenta along the anterior wall, you can give birth and most mothers manage to endure pregnancy quite calmly and then give birth naturally without any complications.

Be attentive to your health, see your doctor, and everything will be fine. Good luck with your pregnancy and happy childbirth!