The placenta plays a critical role in pregnancy, providing oxygen and nourishment to the growing baby while removing waste. It can attach to the uterine wall in various locations, and if it’s positioned in front of the uterus, close to the abdomen, it’s known as an anterior placenta. While anterior placentas are common and generally don’t pose increased risks to the pregnant person or baby, they can affect how you experience certain aspects of pregnancy.
How Common Is an Anterior Placenta? Anterior placentas are quite common, occurring in about half of all pregnancies. The placenta’s location can change as the uterus expands during pregnancy, but anterior positioning is one of the most frequent.
Finding Out If You Have an Anterior Placenta You can’t determine the placenta’s location by looking at your belly. An ultrasound is the only way to confirm the placenta’s position. Most people find out they have an anterior placenta during their anatomy scan around 18 to 21 weeks.
Anterior Placenta vs. Posterior Placenta: What’s the Difference? Placentas can be located in various positions, including posterior (back of the uterus), lateral (on the side of the uterus), fundal (top of the uterus), and low-lying (near or over the cervix). Anterior placentas are in front of the uterus, while posterior placentas are at the back. Low-lying placentas, whether anterior or posterior, are riskier and can lead to conditions like placenta previa.
How an Anterior Placenta May Affect Your Pregnancy An anterior placenta typically won’t cause significant issues during pregnancy, but it can affect a few aspects:
- Feeling Fetal Movements: Fetal movements may be less pronounced with an anterior placenta because it acts as a cushion between your baby and your belly. You may feel kicks slightly later than those with a different placental position, but it’s essential to monitor your baby’s movements.
- Hearing Your Baby’s Heartbeat: Doppler machines may have a harder time detecting fetal heartbeats due to the placenta blocking sound waves. However, experienced technicians can work around this.
- Diagnostic Tests: Some diagnostic tests, like amniocentesis, can be more challenging with an anterior placenta. Ultrasound guidance may be necessary to ensure the placenta isn’t harmed during the procedure.
- Possible Increased Risk of Complications: While not a cause for alarm, anterior placenta has been associated with a slightly increased risk of certain complications, including C-sections, induced labor, back labor, gestational diabetes, placental abruption, placenta previa, intrauterine growth retardation, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Does Anterior Placenta Affect Delivery? In most cases, having an anterior placenta doesn’t significantly impact the delivery process. Contractions feel the same, and your birthing experience remains similar. Both vaginal and C-section deliveries are considered safe. Complications only arise if the placenta is low-lying and partially or fully covering the cervix.
When to Seek Medical Care While an anterior placenta isn’t typically a cause for concern, it’s essential to be vigilant during pregnancy. If you experience reduced fetal movements, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, constant or fast contractions, severe back pain, or a firm abdomen, seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms may indicate potential issues unrelated to placental position.