Posterior Placenta: Know Everything About It

Pregnancy comes with its own set of dos and don’ts. And a regular visit to your gynecologist is a must to determine your and your baby’s health. 

During pregnancy, prenatal tests are crucial. One of the important routine tests that you have to keep performing throughout pregnancy is an ultrasound.

An ultrasound in your second trimester reveals if you have a condition called placenta posterior also known as posterior placenta. So what does this condition mean? Read on to know how it affects you and your baby.

The Role of Placenta

The placenta is a disc-shaped organ that develops during pregnancy purely for the transfer of oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby. It is spread within the uterus occupying a fairly wide area.

The fetus is connected to the placenta via the umbilical cord. Somewhere in the 20th week of pregnancy, during the second trimester, an anomaly ultrasound is performed and the sonologist tells you the position of your placenta. 

It is important to know the position of the placenta as the growth and development of the baby depends upon it.

The front wall of the uterus is called anterior, and the back wall is known as posterior.

When the placenta is placed in the back portion of the uterus, it is called as a placenta posterior. This occurs when the fertilized egg travels via the fallopian tubes and attaches itself to the back wall of the uterus. This is where the placenta begins to grow.

Placenta is a vital organ as it provides nourishment and oxygen to the baby and carries away waste materials. In addition to that, the placenta also helps protect the baby from infections and produces hormones that stimulate the smooth progress of pregnancy and childbirth.

Posterior placenta means the placenta has gotten tethered to the back wall of the uterus and is closest to the spine.

How the placenta positions itself into the wall of the uterus is vital, as that will determine the method of childbirth, either vaginal or cesarean. It will also help to understand the growth and development of your baby.

This can be detected via an anomaly ultrasound conducted during the initial weeks of pregnancy.

The placenta usually develops where the fertilized egg is embedded.  Apart from the posterior position, the placenta can have anterior and low-lying positions. In the anterior, the placenta attaches to the front wall of the uterus. 

The low-lying placenta is a condition where the placenta attaches to the lower section of the uterus causing a pregnancy-related condition called placenta previa.

Is a Posterior Placenta Normal?

The placenta can attach and grow anywhere within the walls of the uterus. Having either an anterior or posterior placenta is normal as long as it does not affect the growth and development of the baby.

Is a Posterior Placenta Dangerous?

In most cases, a placenta posterior is absolutely safe and does not hamper the growth of the baby. In some cases, a placenta posterior may be beneficial to the mother as the baby’s kicks are more strongly felt. 

Also, a placenta posterior might even be better for the baby as it helps the baby grow and align itself properly in the birth canal before labor, thus favoring a vaginal birth. Moreover, the position of the placenta changes throughout pregnancy, usually it moves upwards as the baby grows. 

The placenta occupies almost half the space of the uterus as the pregnancy reaches half term. In the latter stages of pregnancy, it occupies a lesser room as the baby begins to descend into the pelvis of the mother in the preparation for birth.

When Should One Worry?

The only concern is when the placenta occupies the lower portion of the uterus, which means the placenta posterior extends up to the internal (opening) of the cervix. It means that a portion of the birth canal gets blocked and vaginal delivery is not possible. 

This condition is known as placenta posterior Previa. It is an unstable position and can even cause premature labor or internal bleeding. Hence, it is important to undergo sonography at periodic intervals during pregnancy to ascertain the position of the placenta and the baby. This helps plan a caesarean section in advance if there is the detection of a placenta previa.

Disclaimer: The information in the article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor.

Also read – Cephalic Presentation

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