Have Any Info About and Placenta Accreta?

Updated on May 24, 2013
M.S. asks from Los Angeles, CA
7 answers

I am 14 weeks pregnant and we just found out that I have placenta accreta, which is where the placenta has fused with my uterus. My doctor said that I may have to have a full hysterectomy or risk bleeding out during my c-section. Has anyone gone through this before and saved their uterus?

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P.F.

answers from Chicago on

Twenty one years ago I had an emergency c-section. Once out of surgery I hemmoraged. so I had to have a hysterectomy but I did keep my overies. Soon after that I hemmoraged again and at that time I was no longer making my own blood supply. I had 3 surgeries within 10 hours using 34 units of blood and 21 units of plazma and who knows what else. The only thing left for the Dr. to do was to pack me and wait to see if I would clot. I was in the ICU with respitory tube for about 2 weeks. I nearly died and on top of that my son was 2 months pre-mature and did not get to see him for two weeks after he was born. Not sure if the uterus can be saved once it's fused. At least I am alive.

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J.S.

answers from Seattle on

Not all women with placenta accreta have to have a hysterectomy. I would definitely get a second opinion. Seek out an experienced doctor who has a reputation for trying to avoid unecessary surgeries.
There are some methods for conservative management of the condition. Some recent studies show women who did not have hysterectomies, and had good outcomes including protecting their future fertility. It is certainly worth some research.

Wishing you a safe and beautiful birth...

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K.L.

answers from Seattle on

Well... firstly, you're fortunate in some respect, because few cases of placenta accreta are ever diagnosed before birth.

It affects approximately 1 in 2,500 pregnancies. There are three different types... I, myself, have not experienced this, but I have had one friend lose her uterus to it, and one - in an emergency c-section, because they didn't know about it until she was in labor - nearly lost her life.

I don't say these things to scare you, but to inform you.

Depending on the depth of the attachment to the wall, you may or may not have to have a hysterectomy.

I'm sure you trust your OB, but let me suggest getting a second opinion.

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A.K.

answers from Las Vegas on

I haven't went through it, but I have the same thing and the doc told me that there was the same risk to fix it. I havent had the surgery because I want to try and have one more kid. Because your doc is aware of the prob. he may be able to be more careful.... good luck, I hope it all goes well.

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J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am a labor and delivery nurse and have seen cases where they were able to save the uterus. It depends on how far the vessels from the placenta have grown through the uterus. It is very likely that you will have to have a hysterectomy if they are unable to control the bleeding. It aslo depends on how extensive the accreta is. What happens is the placental circulation grows through the uterus. In some cases it can grow into organs that surround the uterus as well. When the placenta is removed after delivery is when all the bleeding starts.
I hope all goes well for you. Let me just say that better to loose your uterus than your life. A lot of people think it is the end of the world, which it is devastating, but you will be around to see you baby grow up which is more important. Good luck.

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J.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi < I'm a midwife in a homebirth practice , I also just called the ultrasonogropher that we work with for consult on this as well, we both feel that it is very hard to make this diagnosis by ultrasound, especially at 14 weeks!!!! I am assuming that your doc found your placenta growing on or near your first ceasarean scar? There is potential for this to move and not be a problem.
I will leave my contact info and his , PLEASE research the risks of repeat C sections!! And get second opinions. take charge !
J. Awakenings Birth Services ###-###-####
Lance ,ultrasound ..###-###-####

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T.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes I went through the same thing. But they had said that I was placenta priva, where the plancenta is over my uterus. But when I had to have a C-section it turned out that it was fused to my uterus. I almost bleed out and one of the doctors wanted to take my uterus out all together. Luckily for me my own doctor refused to do it and even lacking all the tools he would need managed to get my bleeding under control and save my uterus.

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