What is Anterior Placenta: A Comprehensive Insight into Maternal Health
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Pregnancy is filled with many unknowns about the baby’s and the mother’s health. It is important to grasp the role of the placenta. In this blog, we will be focusing on the case of an anterior placenta. We will share vital information on what it is, its effect on pregnancy, and what pregnant women need to be cautious about.
We will also discuss how it is diagnosed and its potential risks. Furthermore, we will debunk misconceptions regarding the anterior placenta and the baby’s gender. We will also answer common questions regarding the topic at the end.
The placenta is a special organ and develops in the womb (uterus) only during pregnancy. It supplies the growing baby with oxygen, nutrients, and immunity. It sends these key elements to the baby through the umbilical cord. Additionally, it removes waste produced by the baby, providing a non-stop flow of care and protection.
An anterior placenta means that the placenta attaches to the anterior or the front wall of the uterus or womb which faces the belly of the pregnant woman. So, there is the belly, then the front wall of the uterus, which is followed by the placenta, and then comes the baby.
It’s quite common to have an anterior placenta. It is seen in about 33% to 50% of all early pregnancies. But, by the final leg of pregnancy, it becomes less common due to the growing womb (uterus).
Anterior placental implantation is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth retardation and intrauterine foetal death, and in women with O-positive blood group.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Alongside the anterior placenta, there are other possible placenta placements that also exist. These placements mainly impact the experience of pregnancy and the baby’s growth differently. These are as follows.
When the placenta links to the back wall or posterior wall of the womb (uterus), facing the mother’s spine, it’s termed posterior placenta. This is normally the most common and best position for the placenta. It makes it easier for the mother to feel the baby move.
Sometimes, the placenta attaches to the top of the womb (uterus). This is not as common and it usually doesn’t affect pregnancy or baby’s growth.
A lateral placenta attaches either to the left or right side of the womb (uterus). Like other placements, this position doesn’t really affect the pregnancy.
Did you know?
Placenta placement is important in prenatal care. It helps healthcare providers assess the mother and baby’s well-being throughout pregnancy. The methods by which the position of the placenta may be identified are as follows.
Ultrasound examination is the main method used for detecting anterior placenta. Doctors may be able to see where the placenta is at around 18–20 weeks of pregnancy. They may also check the baby for any unusual changes.
Even though ultrasound is the main tool for locating the placenta, how the mother feels the baby’s movements may indicate placenta placement too. With an anterior placenta, the mother may sense fewer or late baby movements as the baby is cushioned from her by the placenta.
Women can still have a vaginal delivery with an anterior placenta. Having an anterior placenta doesn’t impact your delivery. The only time your vaginal delivery can be affected is if you have placenta previa.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
An anterior placenta affects pregnancy experience differently from other placenta placements. The effects are mainly seen in baby movements, prenatal exams, and tests.
Catching and enjoying the baby’s movements may be very pleasing for expectant parents but with the anterior placenta, feeling these tiny movements may be delayed or muted because there’s the added cushioning of the anterior placenta blocking the sensations.
While parents might start sensing baby movements as early as 18 weeks into the pregnancy, for those with anterior placenta, the mother may not notice them until about 20-22 weeks. This slightly late detection may cause worries, but it doesn’t mean there are problems with the baby’s growth.
Regardless of having an anterior placenta, tracking your baby’s movements is crucial. Despite the difficulties, mothers need to note shifts in levels of the baby’s activity. If there are sudden changes or reduced activity levels, always consult your healthcare provider for checks to ensure the baby’s health.
Kick counts are a way to monitor and record the baby’s movements like kicks, rolls, bumps, and so on. By doing these, expectant parents and healthcare providers feel at ease that the baby is growing as expected. If the mother has an anterior placenta, she should focus her attention on sensing the movements on the sides of their belly and lower in their pelvis for accurate counts.
An anterior placenta may cause some minor complexities in otherwise normal prenatal exams and tests. Let’s see how having an anterior placenta might affect them.
Always be cautious of severe abdominal pains, fast uterine contractions and any abnormal bleeding during your pregnancy.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
During regular prenatal visits, your healthcare provider will use a baby Doppler or ultrasound to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. An anterior placenta might slightly muffle these sound waves, making it a bit more challenging to hear the heartbeat. Still, the doctor will locate it with some patient searching.
If the pregnant woman needs an amniocentesis i.e., an invasive procedure used to spot potential abnormalities in the baby by collecting the amniotic fluid present inside the womb, an anterior placenta might make the test somewhat more complex to execute. The needle used to draw a sample of the amniotic fluid will need to go around the placenta, which does not increase miscarriage risk when done by a skilled healthcare professional.
If you have any worries or doubts about your prenatal tests, always seek advice from your healthcare provider for support and guidance.
Although an anterior placenta is largely harmless and may pose no risks to the mother or the baby, it is vital to know about any likely complications that could occur. Awareness is crucial for ensuring safety and health during pregnancy.
With anterior placenta previa, the placenta attaches low in the womb and covers part or all of the cervix. This situation may result in bleeding during pregnancy and become risky for the baby during delivery. If the placenta remains low-lying and covers the cervix at the time of birth, a Cesarean delivery is needed to ensure the safety of the mother and baby.
The healthcare provider will check the position of the anterior placenta using ultrasound exams throughout the pregnancy. If the placenta continues to stay low, the doctor will discuss how this could affect the delivery plan, for instance, planning a Cesarean section.
Overall, having an anterior placenta may not affect labor and delivery. Provided that the placenta is in a safe place, one may follow their birth plan and deliver vaginally. Nonetheless, there could be certain factors and risks to think about during labour and delivery process.
On the whole, those with an anterior placenta may have a successful vaginal delivery, as long as the placenta is not covering the cervix and there are no other pregnancy complications. It is important to discuss delivery plans and possibilities with the healthcare provider in advance.
There are some potential risks related to an anterior placenta during childbirth. These include a slightly higher chance of intense back pain during childbirth and more need for labour induction, cesarean delivery, or manual placenta removal.
Despite these risks being tied to anterior placenta, it does not mean that you will face them during labour. Always have a discussion with the health care professional for an appropriate and safe birthing plan that works best for your specific needs and conditions.
There is a theory that you may predict the baby’s gender depending on the placenta’s location. More so, there is a myth that an anterior placenta suggests that the gender of the baby is female. Some people believe in this, but it lacks research or scientific proof for support. The best ways to predict gender are by genetic testing and ultrasound examination.
People are always eager to know their baby’s biological gender. Yet, it is not advisable to base gender predictions on placenta location. The following accurate methods may help determine your baby’s gender early during pregnancy.
Genetic tests may be performed as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. These tests check the baby’s DNA present in the mother’s bloodstream and can accurately gauge the baby’s biological sex. They also screen for chromosomal anomalies.
Ultrasound scans done after 16–20 weeks into pregnancy usually reveal the baby’s biological gender. These ultrasounds give accurate gender predictions, reviewed and confirmed by your healthcare provider.
Comprehending the role of the anterior placenta is critical for anticipating how it may impact the pregnancy experience. In most cases, anterior placenta is harmless and does not pose a notable risk to the mother or the baby. However, it’s vital for pregnant mothers with anterior placenta to take note of any possible complications and discuss them with their healthcare provider.
By taking the necessary steps and precautions and seeking professional advice, expectant parents may reduce potential risks and ensure a secure, healthy pregnancy with an anterior placenta.
Mostly, having anterior placenta won’t affect the chances of a normal delivery. If the placenta isn’t low-lying or covering the cervix and there are no other pregnancy complications, the pregnant woman should be able to follow their birth plan and deliver vaginally.
Risks tied to having anterior placenta are quite mild. They include delayed feeling of baby movements, difficulties in hearing the baby’s heartbeat, and likely challenges during diagnostic tests like amniocentesis. There might also be a slightly higher chance of going through intense back pain during labour, increased labour induction, cesarean delivery, or manual placenta removal.
The prime difference between an anterior placenta and a posterior placenta is in their positions within the womb (uterus). An anterior placenta attaches to the front wall of the womb, facing the mother’s belly, while a posterior placenta attaches to the back wall of the womb, facing the mother’s spine.
An anterior placenta doesn’t provide specific benefits beyond its normal functions, which include supplying oxygen, nutrients, and immune protection to the growing baby while also getting rid of waste products. It is merely a normal, natural variation in placenta positioning that, most of the time, may not negatively affect the pregnancy or the baby.
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