Placenta previa

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Placenta previa is more common among women who:

  • Have already delivered at least one baby
  • Had a previous C-section
  • Had placenta previa with a previous pregnancy
  • Are age 35 or older
  • Are Asian
  • Smoke
  • Are carrying twins, triplets or other multiples
  • Have had a previous uterine surgery, such as myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids or dilation and curettage (D and C) to scrape the uterine lining
References
  1. Lockwood CJ, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of placenta previa. http://www.uptodate.com/hom. Accessed April 17, 2009.
  2. Sakornbut E, et al. Late pregnancy bleeding. American Family Physician. 2007;75:1199.
  3. Zeltzer JS. Vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/132444171-3/831220627/1621/508.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50256-9_4080. Accessed April 17, 2009.
  4. Lockwood CJ, et al. Management of placenta previa. http://www.uptodate.com/hom. Accessed April 17, 2009.

DS00588

June 2, 2009

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