What Is Anterior Placenta?

An anterior placenta occurs when the placenta is positioned in the front of the uterine wall (closest to the abdomen) during pregnancy. It is a common condition, happening in about 50% of pregnancies. It does not typically cause complications, but it can make it difficult for healthcare providers to hear the baby’s heartbeat or to detect the baby’s movements. It is usually diagnosed during an ultrasound around week 18-21 of pregnancy.

The placenta is a flattened-circular organ in the uterus that develops during pregnancy. The organ provides nutrients, oxygen, and antibodies from your blood supply to your baby through the umbilical cord. It also helps to carry waste away from your baby and back to your blood supply to get rid of it.

The cause of an anterior placenta is simply that it will develop wherever the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall—meaning the placenta can form anywhere in the uterine wall. Having an anterior placenta does not usually cause symptoms other than it being more difficult to detect the baby’s heartbeat or to feel the baby moving. This is why it is usually about week 18-21 of pregnancy before it gets diagnosed.

Signs and Symptoms

Having an anterior placenta does not typically cause many symptoms or present a cause for concern. Common symptoms include:

• Difficulty detecting the baby’s heartbeat or heart rate
• Difficulty feeling your baby’s kicks
• Can make it more difficult for healthcare providers to detect the baby’s heart rate with a Doppler ultrasound

Causes

The simple cause of an anterior placenta is that the placenta will develop wherever the fertilized egg decides to attach itself to the uterine wall. Having an anterior placenta typically does not significantly change your pregnancy or how your pregnancy is treated.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of anterior placenta is usually made around week 18-21 of pregnancy during an ultrasound. The reason why the diagnosis is made during these weeks is because the placenta tends to change positions as the uterus expands, until about week 18-21 of pregnancy. This ultrasound is sometimes referred to as an anatomy scan and is used to measure the size of the baby and all its organs.

Implications & Risk Factors of Anterior Placenta

Risk factors associated with having an anterior placenta do not typically cause complications that are threatening to you or your baby. Risk factors can include:

• Placenta previa. This condition occurs when the placenta covers all or part of the cervix, which can cause mild to heavy bleeding and other complications.
• C-section. Having placenta previa increases your chances of needing a c-section (cesarean delivery) because it blocks the vaginal canal and prohibits the baby from exiting the vagina.
• Back labor. Having an anterior placenta increases the chances that your baby will be born with their head positioned down and their back against your back, meaning their face is up. This may cause pain in the lower back and a longer labor.

Impact on Fetal Movement Perception

An anterior placenta makes it harder for you to feel your baby kick and move, due to the placenta creating an extra layer between the baby and your abdomen. Your healthcare provider may even find it more difficult to detect your baby’s movements and heartbeat.

Complications Associated with Anterior Placenta

It is unusual to have complications that result from anterior placenta. Complications that may occur are typically not life-threatening to you or your baby. There are specific risk factors for anterior placenta. Risk factors can include:

• Placenta previa. This condition occurs when the placenta covers all or part of the cervix, which can cause mild to heavy bleeding and other complications.
• C-section. Having placenta previa increases your chances of needing a c-section (cesarean delivery) because it blocks the vaginal canal and prohibits the baby from exiting the vagina.
• Back labor. Having an anterior placenta increases the chances that your baby will be born with their head positioned down and their back against your back, meaning their face is up. This may cause pain in the lower back and a longer labor.

Anterior Placenta and Pregnancy Management

There is no treatment for anterior placenta as it typically does not cause complications. The only time treatment would be required is if you develop placenta previa and related complications.

• Prenatal care adjustments. There are not really any prenatal care adjustments that need to be made for anterior placenta, except to be aware that you may not be able to feel the baby’s movements as well, and your healthcare provider may have more difficulty detecting the baby’s heartbeat.
• Monitoring for potential complications. Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor for any complications, which typically do not occur unless you develop placenta previa.
• Considerations for labor and delivery. Having an anterior placenta will not usually impact labor and delivery. You will still be able to have a vaginal birth unless you develop placenta previa.

FAQ’s About Anterior Placenta

• Will it affect my baby’s development?
  No.
• How does it impact delivery options?
  Having an anterior placenta will not impact your ability to have a vaginal birth. Delivery will only be impacted if you develop placenta previa.
• Can the placenta position change?
  Yes. The position of your placenta can change throughout pregnancy until about week 18-21 of pregnancy.

Learn More About Anterior Placenta

Proper prenatal care, including regular check-ups and consultations with healthcare providers, can help address concerns or complications that may arise. For more information on anterior placenta and personalized prenatal care, please contact Baptist Health to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced healthcare professionals.