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Anterior Placenta - Locations, Diagnosis and Complications

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Anterior Placenta - Locations, Diagnosis and Complications

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Anterior placenta denotes the location of the placenta in the mother's uterus. Learn more about anterior placenta in this article.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Richa Agarwal

Published At December 18, 2021
Reviewed AtMarch 28, 2023

What Is a Placenta?

For a pregnancy to be healthy, placental development is vital. The nutrients, immunity, hormones, and oxygen are supplied to the fetus from the mother through the placenta. It is present only during pregnancy and develops when the fertilized ovum is attached to the wall of the uterus. It attains full development and becomes fully functional within 12 weeks. However, it does not stop its growth and continues its development throughout pregnancy. The placenta is also responsible for maintaining your pregnancy by producing hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin, estrogen, and progesterone.

What Are the Different Placental Locations?

The growth of the placenta can occur anywhere on the uterus. It mostly develops on the site where the fertilized egg is attached to the uterine wall. The following are the general locations of the placenta:

  1. Anterior:

    At the anterior part of the uterus towards the front of the body and stomach.

  2. Lateral:

    Either on the left or right side of the uterus.

  3. Fundal:

    At the top of the uterus.

  4. Posterior:

    At the posterior aspect of the uterus towards the back of the body and spine.

  5. Low-Lying:

    At the very bottom of the uterus, at times, covering the cervix.

However, the development of the placenta can also happen between these areas.

Which Is the Common Placental Location?

The fundal and the posterior placental positions are the most common placental locations. It is because these areas have increased access to areas rich in blood vessels. During the early ultrasound scans, around one-fourth to one-half of all pregnant women have an anterior placenta. But it is infrequent towards the end of the gestation period.

How Is the Placental Position Diagnosed?

An ultrasound scan helps in diagnosing the placental position. The placental position is usually diagnosed at the mid-pregnancy ultrasound or anatomy scan taken at the 20th week of gestation.

Having an anterior placenta in the early ultrasounds does not mean it stays there until delivery. The placental position tends to change with the stretching and growth of the uterus. Migration of the placenta can happen towards the side, top, or back as weeks pass by.

How Is an Anterior Placenta Different?

The anterior placenta does not indicate any abnormality and is not a problem of concern. There are a few things that distinguish the anterior placenta from other types. The following are the difficulties faced when the placenta is placed in front of the fetus:

  1. Prenatal tests like amniocentesis become a bit more complex.

  2. Finding the heartbeat during prenatal tests takes extra time.

  3. Feeling the kick of the baby takes a little longer.

When Are Fetal Movements Recognizable in Anterior Placenta?

Fetal movements begin as early as on the 18th week and as late as on the 24th week. People who had previous babies may identify it sooner as they are familiar with the flutters. While people who are first parents and where there is anterior placental position, recognition of fetal movements takes a much longer time. In the anterior placenta, there is late recognition because there is an extra cushioning layer between the outer belly wall of the mother and the fetus, making it difficult to feel the kicking movements of the baby. Only during the third trimester, when the baby becomes big enough to make noticeable movements, the fetal movements are felt.

What Should I Do to Monitor My Baby’s Movements?

Having a count of the fetal movements not only has a sense of excitement but also has a feeling of reassurance. Check the rolls, bumps, kicks, and other activities your baby does. In a period of two hours, your baby should at least be involved in 10 actions. When your baby is sleeping, there is less movement. When there is significantly less movement than it was before, or if there is no movement even after the 24th week of pregnancy, call your healthcare provider.

Is Lower Back Pain Associated With Anterior Fetal Position?

Lower back pain is associated with the anterior placenta; however, irritable back pain is a common happening throughout pregnancy.

What Difficulty Does An Anterior Placenta Cause During Diagnostic Tests?

The anterior placenta poses a challenge while doing diagnostic tests like amniocentesis. This test is done in women who have an increased risk of developing conditions like Down's syndrome. The presence of the anterior placenta makes this test a little more complex. The placenta is avoided by guiding the needle with the help of an ultrasound scanner. The risk of miscarriage is always present with an amniocentesis test; however, this is not increased with the anterior placenta.

How Does the Anterior Placenta Affect the Position of the Fetus in the Womb?

The anterior placenta increases the chances of making the baby be in the back-to-back or occipito-posterior position. It is the best position for the baby to turn to have a normal vaginal delivery. However, the following possibilities may be associated with the anterior placenta:

  • Long labor.

  • A cesarean section.

  • More painful labor.

  • Assisted birth.

What Are the Complications Associated With Anterior Placental Position?

The outcome of pregnancy can be affected by the anterior placental position; however, it is not always a problem of concern.

A study has suggested that the following complications are possible with anterior placental position:

The risk of complications to the mother after birth is also seen in some cases of the anterior placenta.

When Should I See My Doctor if There Is An Anterior Placenta?

It is advisable that all women see a doctor all through their pregnancy. However, reaching out to your doctor is needed when signs indicate a problem with the placenta. Consult your doctor when you experience any of the following symptoms:

These problems have a sudden onset and are often severe.

Conclusion:

Having an anterior placenta does not always mean there is an increased risk for complications. Do not be anxious, enjoy your phase of pregnancy. Do follow the instructions given by your doctor and reach out to them at the earliest opportunity if any problems arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Is It Fine to Have an Anterior Placenta?

Anterior placenta means that the placenta is attached to the front wall of the uterus between the fetus and the tummy. So it is completely a normal place for it to implant and develop. It does not cause any problems.

2.

How Common Is an Anterior Placenta?

The anterior placenta is completely a common condition during pregnancy. The placenta is attached to the front of the uterus. In a study, it was found that around 33 % to 50 % of pregnancies have an anterior placenta.

3.

What Does an Anterior Placenta Look Like on Ultrasound?

The anterior placenta is determined during the second ultrasound scan done around 18 to 21st week of gestation. The placenta is attached in the front of the bump instead of at the back closer to the spine.

4.

Which Placental Position Is Considered the Best?

The position of the placenta is very important as it helps determine if vaginal delivery is possible or if a cesarean section will be required. The upper (fundal portion) of the uterine back wall is considered to be one of the best positions for the fetus to be in.

5.

What Are the Benefits of the Anterior Placenta?

There are no benefits as such. Having an anterior placenta, the best sleeping position is to sleep on the left side with the knees bent. This allows the baby to get the best nourishment possible and puts less pressure on the liver, helping the fetus get its required nutrients.

6.

Is It Harder to Hear the Heartbeat With the Anterior Placenta?

The fetal heartbeat can be muffled depending on the location of the placenta. In the case of the anterior placenta, the placenta is placed in front of the uterus serving as an additional layer between the Doppler and the fetus, making it hard for the heartbeat to be detected.

7.

Does a Woman With an Anterior Placenta Feel Her Baby?

Feeling baby movements in the anterior placenta is quite tricky. Try to focus on the sides and lower down where the baby's movements are more likely felt. And women with anterior placenta feel their baby movement a little later than women with placenta positioned elsewhere as the placenta separates the fetus from the front of the tummy, acting as a buffer to the baby's movements.

8.

How Can I Move My Placenta Naturally?

There are no ways or methods to naturally move the placenta, but as the uterus grows and expands during pregnancy, the position of the placenta tends to move away from the cervix or move upwards.

9.

How Do You Know if the Baby Is Anterior?

When the fetus is placed in an anterior position, the movements are more likely felt under the ribs, and the belly button is popped out. The baby's back will feel hard and rounded, which is felt on one side of the tummy.

10.

What Are the Risks of the Anterior Placenta?

Generally, the anterior placenta is not a cause for concern. But if the placenta grows downwards instead of growing upward towards the cervix. This can block the baby's way out on the day of delivery, causing bleeding. This condition is known as placenta previa.

11.

How Does an Anterior Placenta Affect Labor?

In most instances, having an anterior placenta does not affect labor or delivery. As long as the placenta is not too low, there are no pregnancy concerns associated with anterior placenta positioning.

12.

When Will I Start Feeling My Baby Move With an Anterior Placenta?

Women with anterior placenta feel their baby movements slightly later than women with placenta positioned elsewhere. They usually feel their baby's movements around 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
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Dr. Richa Agarwal
Dr. Richa Agarwal

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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