Placenta Previa

Picture of normal placenta and placenta previa

Normally, the placenta is attached to the uterus above the cervix. When the placenta blocks the cervix, it is called placenta previa. The amount of cervix covered by the placenta may be slight (marginal), moderate (partial), or complete (total). This picture shows a complete placenta previa.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerWilliam Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Last RevisedFebruary 3, 2012
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: February 3, 2012
Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine

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