What should you know about anterior placenta accreta?

The word anterior describes location, while accreta describes abnormal attachment. The main concern is heavy bleeding if the placenta cannot separate normally after birth.

Placenta accreta belongs to a spectrum in which placental tissue attaches to, or grows into, the uterine wall more deeply than usual. Imaging helps the maternity team assess the suspected depth, placental position, and relationship to a previous uterine scar or nearby organs.

An anterior placenta alone is a common location and does not by itself mean accreta. When both findings are present, the front position can affect how surgeons plan the uterine incision and prepare for bleeding.

Keep appointments with a maternal-fetal medicine or specialist obstetric team. They may arrange targeted ultrasound, review earlier caesarean or uterine surgery, check your blood count, and plan delivery in a hospital with blood transfusion support, anaesthesia, neonatal care, and experienced surgeons.

The team may recommend a planned Caesarean Section and may discuss leaving the placenta in place rather than trying to detach it. In some circumstances, a Hysterectomy is the safest way to control bleeding. Your individual plan depends on imaging, symptoms, previous operations, and your wishes.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for any vaginal bleeding, contractions, leaking fluid, severe abdominal pain, faintness, breathlessness, or reduced fetal movement. Call emergency services for heavy bleeding, collapse, confusion, or severe weakness. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or are bleeding heavily.

Ask how certain the imaging diagnosis is, where delivery should take place, which specialists may attend, what the bleeding and transfusion plan involves, and whether hysterectomy is anticipated. Also ask whom to contact after hours and what symptoms should bring you directly to hospital.