Evaluation of Pregnancy Outcomes in Relation to Placenta Previa Location

Aim: To evaluate the effect of the type and site of placenta previa on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We studied retrospectively 324 women with singleton pregnancies presented with placenta previa. After diagnosis by trans abdominal U/S, the cases were grouped into complete and incomplete placenta previa, and then each were categorized to posterior and anterior groups. We compared maternal criteria and outcomes of neonates in complete and incomplete placentae previa, and the differences between the two groups were evaluated. Results: Women with complete placenta previa were more prevalent than those with incomplete placenta previa (59.2% versus 17.5%), with the higher incidence of preterm labor in women with complete than in those with incomplete placenta previa ( 45.2% versus 8.7%); Incidence of APH in complete placenta previa did not significantly differ between the posterior and the anterior groups. The anterior group was with higher incidence of preterm labor than the posterior group (76.3% versus 31.9%; p=0.002). Gestational age at labor with incomplete placenta previa didn't significantly differ between the posterior and anterior groups. Conclusion: Awareness should be taken towards the risk of increased maternal and fetal morbidity, especially with anterior placenta previa.