Does caesarean section treat placenta accreta?

Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the wall of the womb. The placenta may not separate normally after birth, which can cause serious bleeding. Planned care commonly involves a caesarean birth followed by specialist management of the placenta and bleeding risk. The exact operation depends on how deeply the placenta has grown and where it is located.

Ask for care from an obstetric team experienced with placenta accreta spectrum. Your team may arrange detailed scans, blood tests, a delivery plan, and access to blood products and other specialists. Do not try to pull out or manually remove the placenta. Keep your maternity team’s contact details available and attend every planned review.

Seek urgent maternity assessment for vaginal bleeding, severe or persistent abdominal pain, contractions, dizziness, fainting, or reduced baby movements. After birth, heavy bleeding, worsening weakness, breathlessness, or a racing heartbeat needs emergency attention. These symptoms require assessment even if a caesarean is already planned.

Ask where the placenta is attached, whether imaging suggests deeper invasion, which specialists will be present, how the birth will be scheduled, and what may happen if bleeding occurs.