Celebrity Kim Kardashian announced her current pregnancy is considered high risk due to her previous bout with placenta accreta.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists identifies placenta accreta as the number one reason for a C-section. This condition often requires a total hysterectomy immediately after childbirth. This pregnancy condition can make carrying a child to term and the birthing process incredibly dangerous for both mother and baby!
According to the Mayo Clinic, placenta accreta is a serious pregnancy condition that occurs when blood vessels and other parts of the placenta grow too deeply into the uterine wall. Typically, the placenta detaches from the uterine wall after childbirth. With placenta accreta, part or all of the placenta remains firmly attached. This can cause severe blood loss after delivery.
Placenta Accreta is Far from a Rare Condition
Placenta accreta should be diagnosed early, with ample time to monitor mother and child to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. It is estimated that placenta accreta occurs in as many as 1 in 500 pregnancies. The big question is why do doctors fail to identify this condition when it is so relatively common?
In cases of placenta accreta, both mother and child are at risk so if the doctor fails to diagnose the condition early, or fails to prepare adequately during the birthing process, the condition can quickly become catastrophic. The reason so many cases of placenta accreta result in an immediate hysterectomy is because the blood loss that occurs cannot be otherwise controlled..
If you or someone you know has suffered from placenta accreta in a prior pregnancy, especially if you have not undergone a hysterectomy after your previous pregnancy, your case should be evaluated immediately! Understanding the condition, and understanding the proper procedures your doctor should have in place prior to, during and immediately following your pregnancy can ultimately save your life.
