Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Placenta Previa
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
When the placenta implants over or near the inner opening of the cervix, the condition is called placenta previa. The cervix is the opening of the uterus. As the cervix dilates during labor, the abnormal location of the placenta may cause heavy vaginal bleeding and keep the baby from traveling through the birth canal.
What is going on in the body?
Placenta previa occurs in 1 out of 200 births. In about 10% to 20% of these cases, the placenta covers the entire cervix. This is complete placenta previa. Otherwise, only part of the cervix is covered. This is called partial placenta previa.
Vaginal bleeding typically occurs:
The extent of the bleeding depends upon how much of the placenta covers the cervix and how many blood vessels are torn.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
A woman is more likely to have this condition if: