Anterior Placenta During Pregnancy: What It Means and Why It's Usually Nothing to Worry About

In short: An anterior placenta is a placenta attached to the front wall of the uterus, a common and normal position that is no cause for concern. It may delay the moment you first feel the baby move, but this does not mean a problem with the baby’s health. The important exception is a low placenta close to the cervix, when a caesarean birth may be needed.

The gift of a child is one of the most precious things any parent can experience. When you are blessed with a baby on the way, your happiness knows no bounds. You have been given the beautiful opportunity to care for, nurture, and raise a little person who will one day make you proud. But the wait to finally hold your baby in your arms can feel unbelievably long. Over the course of nine months, there will be many ups and downs — morning sickness, regular checkups, and ultrasounds all become part of daily life. One clinical term you may hear along the way is ‘anterior placenta.’ While this condition does not put your unborn baby at risk and isn’t something to worry about, many mothers-to-be still feel anxious when they hear it. An anterior placenta simply means that the placenta inside your womb is positioned on the front wall instead of the back wall. Here is some helpful information to understand whether you have an anterior placenta and what it means for you:

Normal Position of the Placenta: The placenta helps your baby stay attached to you in the womb and maintain a steady supply of nutrition. After fertilization, the embryo travels from the fallopian tube and implants itself into the uterine wall. The placenta then develops wherever the embryo has implanted, and it can ideally settle in one of four positions — posterior, anterior, fundal, or lateral. Sometimes, it ends up on the front, or anterior, side of the womb, which is known as an anterior placenta. Rest assured, the position of the placenta does not otherwise affect your baby’s nutrition or overall health.

Signs You Should Watch For: While having an anterior placenta is generally no reason to worry, it can sometimes come with a bit more discomfort than a typical pregnancy. Increased uterine contractions, vaginal bleeding, and increased abdominal or back pain can be signs of a potential placenta-related issue. If you notice any vaginal bleeding, regular or painful contractions before 37 weeks, or constant or severe abdominal pain, contact your doctor or go to the hospital the same day so they can check you and your baby.

Does It Change How You’ll Deliver? In most cases, an anterior placenta does not require any changes to your delivery plan. However, if the anterior placenta has implanted lower down, towards the cervix, rather than higher up, there may be a bit more to consider. As the placenta grows, it can sometimes block your baby’s path during delivery, which may make a c-section necessary. A low-lying anterior placenta can also make a c-section slightly more delicate, as there is a higher chance of increased bleeding. In these situations, your doctor will likely recommend an additional ultrasound to ascertain where your placenta is positioned, so they can plan the safest approach for your delivery.

What Is Placenta Praevia: Sometimes, at the 20-week scan, the placenta is found lying low in the uterus, close to or covering the cervix (the neck of the womb). This is called a low-lying placenta, or placenta praevia if it covers the cervix, and a repeat scan is usually arranged at around 32 weeks. As your pregnancy progresses, the lower part of the uterus expands, and in many cases the placenta gradually shifts into a more favorable position.

What Is Placenta Accreta: If you have had a c-section in a previous pregnancy, the placenta in your current pregnancy may begin to grow near the site of the old scar. In rare cases, this can cause the placenta to grow into, or even through, the uterine wall — a condition known as placenta accreta. This is considered a rare condition, and your doctor will monitor you closely if there is any indication of it.

Its risk is higher when the placenta is low-lying and anterior over the scar of a previous caesarean section, especially after more than one caesarean. In that situation you should have a detailed specialist scan, and if accreta is suspected, birth should be planned in a hospital with the necessary expertise and blood bank support.

An anterior placenta can cushion your baby’s kicks, so you may start feeling movements a little later (often after 20 weeks) and they may feel softer. However, once you have got to know your baby’s pattern of movements, any reduction or change in that pattern is never explained by an anterior placenta — contact your doctor or maternity unit straight away, the same day, rather than waiting until the next day. Remember, an anterior placenta by itself is a normal finding and there is no need to panic, but never ignore reduced movements or bleeding. Trust your doctor to guide you and make the best choices for your health and your baby’s health. In the meantime, try to enjoy the beautiful glow of pregnancy and the extra care and pampering that comes with it! If you have any questions or concerns about your placenta position or pregnancy in general, the team at Dr. Najeeb Layyous’s clinic is always happy to help guide you through your journey.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist