Let’s Talk Placenta Accreta

Hold on! You are going to want to read this.

Do you know what placenta accreta is?

I didn’t when I had it.

Placenta accreta is a condition that occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall.

This happens in 1 out of 2,500 pregnancies.

There is no known cause of this. Two cases that there have been shown an increase in occurrences:

  • In 5-10% of pregnancies with placenta previa 

  • Cesarean births increase the chances in future pregnancies

Risks of placenta accreta can include:

  • Hemorrhages during birth and/or in postpartum

  • Hysterectomies

Treatment of placenta accreta is typically surgery, in order to separate the placenta from the uterine wall.

Important signs to look out for after you give birth: 

  • If the bleeding does not get lighter over time and, instead, is getting heavier.

  • If you are passing blood clots, and the clots continue to get larger over time.

If this is you, please reach out to your doctor and get assessed immediately. 

I reached out to my doctor, but they did not think I needed to be assessed.

I wished I had advocated for myself more.

Because experiencing an emergency surgery was extremely traumatic, and took me a long time to heal from - physically and emotionally.

If you experienced postpartum trauma, my heart goes out to you. 

More than anything, I want you to know that you are not alone.

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When the Body Says ‘No’

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Let’s Talk Sympathy vs. Empathy