Placenta Previa in Pregnancy: Causes, Risks and Next Steps

Being told you have placenta previa during pregnancy can feel frightening, especially when you’re already navigating so many changes. However, this condition is far more common than most mothers realise, and with the right care and information, many pregnancies progress smoothly. Placenta previa simply means the placenta is sitting lower in the uterus than expected, close to or covering the cervix. The placenta might be low early in pregnancy and completely normal later on, or it might stay low and require closer monitoring. Understanding what’s happening helps you feel more in control as your pregnancy continues.

What Placenta Previa Means

During pregnancy, the placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus and supplies your baby with nutrients and oxygen. In most pregnancies, it implants higher up, away from the cervix. In placenta previa, the placenta sits lower than usual. This can be:

• Low-lying (near the cervix)
• Partial (covering part of the cervix)
• Complete (fully covering the cervix)

It’s only when the placenta still blocks or overlaps the cervix later in pregnancy that doctors begin to discuss different birth plans.

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How Common Placenta Previa Really Is

Placenta previa is more common in early and mid-pregnancy scans than people think. Many pregnant women are told at the 20-week anatomy scan that their placenta is low-lying. In most of these cases, it naturally moves upwards as the uterus grows. Only a small number of women still have placenta previa late in pregnancy. Even then, with regular monitoring and the right birth plan, outcomes are usually very positive.

What Causes Placenta Previa

There isn’t one single cause, and having placenta previa is not something you caused or could have prevented. Several things may increase the likelihood, including:

• Previous caesarean section
• Previous placenta previa
• Multiple pregnancies (twins or more)
• Maternal age above 35
• Uterine surgery, such as fibroid removal
• Smoking during pregnancy
• A placenta that is naturally larger or differently shaped

Sometimes there are no risk factors at all. It can happen in any pregnancy.

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What Symptoms You Might Notice

The most common symptom of placenta previa is painless vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester. You might experience:

• Bright red bleeding that comes and goes
• Bleeding after intercourse
• Spotting without cramps

However, many women have no symptoms whatsoever and only find out because of an ultrasound. Any bleeding in pregnancy should be checked by your doctor or maternity unit right away.

Why Placenta Previa Matters

A placenta that lies close to or covers the cervix can lead to bleeding later in pregnancy because the cervix begins to soften and change as the body prepares for birth. This movement can disturb the placenta.

Key concerns include:

• Bleeding in late pregnancy
• Early labour
• The placenta is blocking the baby’s exit route
• The need for a planned caesarean birth

Even so, many women with placenta previa go on to have healthy pregnancies with careful monitoring.

How It’s Diagnosed

Placenta previa is most often identified at the routine 20-week scan. If the placenta is low, your healthcare provider will book follow-up scans to see whether it moves as your pregnancy progresses. Most low-lying placentas lift upwards by 28–32 weeks. If the placenta is still low at that stage, your medical team will discuss the next steps with you.

What If the Placenta Doesn’t Move

If the placenta remains low or continues to cover the cervix later in pregnancy, your doctor will give you specific guidelines, which may include:

• Avoiding intercourse
• Avoiding high-impact exercise
• Taking extra care if any bleeding starts
• Having more frequent ultrasound scans
• Discussing the safest type of birth for you

When the placenta completely covers the cervix, a planned caesarean section is usually recommended between 36 and 38 weeks.

How Placenta Previa Affects Your Birth Plan

If the placenta is still covering or very close to the cervix in the third trimester, a vaginal birth is not safe because it could cause heavy bleeding. In these cases, a caesarean section is the safest option for both mother and baby. If later scans show that the placenta has moved far enough away, a vaginal birth may still be possible. Your doctor or midwife will discuss your individual situation based on the exact placental position.

What To Do If You Experience Bleeding

If you have placenta previa and experience any bleeding, contact your maternity unit immediately. They will tell you whether to come in for monitoring.

Seek help right away if you notice:

• Heavy bleeding
• Dizziness or weakness
• Severe stomach or back pain
• Contractions
• Reduced baby movements

It’s always better to get checked than to wait.

Tips for Managing Placenta Previa Safely

• Follow your healthcare provider’s advice carefully
• Rest when your body asks for it
• Avoid activities that might trigger bleeding
• Keep a close eye on any symptoms
• Stay up to date with your scans
• Pack your hospital bag earlier than usual
• Ask friends and family for help with physical tasks

Taking things gently and staying informed helps create a safer and calmer pregnancy.

When to Seek Urgent Care

Get immediate medical attention if you have:

• Sudden, heavy bleeding
• Fainting or feeling like you might faint
• Severe, sharp abdominal pain
• Persistent contractions
• Noticeably reduced baby movement

These symptoms require quick assessment.

Final Thoughts

A diagnosis of placenta previa can feel unsettling, but it does not mean something is wrong with you or your pregnancy. With modern monitoring, skilled maternity care and a well-planned approach to birth, most women with placenta previa deliver healthy babies. Understanding what the condition means, knowing what symptoms to look for, and staying connected with your healthcare team help you move through the rest of your pregnancy with confidence and calm.