What to expect from hysterectomy for placenta accreta

Placenta accreta means the placenta is attached too deeply to the uterine wall. The usual plan is a caesarean birth followed by hysterectomy, while the placenta is left in place rather than forcibly removed. The operation means you cannot carry another pregnancy afterwards.

Because bleeding can be substantial, the maternity, surgical, anaesthetic, and newborn teams plan together. The surgeon may need to remove nearby tissue if the placenta has grown into surrounding organs. The exact operation depends on scan findings, previous surgery, placental position, and what is found during birth.

Attend scheduled maternal-fetal medicine appointments and ask where the birth will take place. Share your medicines, allergies, previous operations, and wishes about fertility and ovarian preservation. Arrange transport, childcare, and support at home, and follow the hospital’s instructions about food, medicines, and admission.

After birth, recovery includes healing from a caesarean and hysterectomy, tiredness, abdominal pain, and changes in bleeding. Accept help with feeding, lifting, and household tasks. Keep follow-up visits so blood loss, wound healing, mood, and bladder or bowel symptoms can be checked.

Tell the maternity team immediately about heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, dizziness, faintness, fever, worsening wound redness, or difficulty breathing. After discharge, emergency symptoms include collapse, chest pain, severe breathlessness, or a painful swollen leg.

Ask why this hospital and timing are recommended, who will be present, whether nearby organs may need treatment, how blood-loss planning works, what happens to the ovaries, and what support is available after discharge.