Placenta Accreta

What Is Placenta Accreta?

Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta (afterbirth), grows into the uterine wall during pregnancy. Normally after childbirth, the placenta separates from the uterine wall, but with placenta accreta it remains attached.

The condition often occurs without symptoms, and cannot be prevented. However, it is sometimes possible to detect during pregnancy using ultrasound.

Penn Medicine's Placenta Accreta Spectrum Center of Excellence provides high-quality, coordinated care to treat placenta accreta and spectrum of related conditions. Our experts in maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, obstetrics and gynecology, anesthesia, neonatology, and radiology work together to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your baby.

Risk Factors for Placenta Accreta

There are factors that can increase the risk of placenta accreta including:

A previous cesarean delivery (C-section) or uterine surgery
Whether the placenta covers the cervix (placenta previa) or sits in the lower portion of your uterus
Pregnant person age over 35
Previous deliveries

Complications of Placenta Accreta

Placenta accreta is considered a high-risk complication of pregnancy and can cause the following:

Excessive bleeding before, during, or after delivery that may require a blood transfusion and a stay in the intensive care unit
Preterm delivery
A prolonged hospital stay, possibly before delivery
Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) which prevents future childbearing
Surgical injury to organs including the intestines, bladder and ureter

Depending on their gestational age at the time of delivery, your baby may also need to stay in our neonatal intensive care nursery (ICN). The ICN is staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) who specialize in infant intensive care.

Learn how we evaluate, diagnose and monitor high-risk pregnancies at Penn Medicine