Placenta accreta describes a placenta that has grown directly into the uterine muscle and has thus become abnormally difficult to remove.
If the placentaThe placenta is a large disk shaped membrane responsible for providing nourishment to the fetus during pregnancy. It consists of three parts, the fetal part made up from the chorion membrane surrounding the fetus, the maternal part, formed from the decidua basalis layer of the uterine lining, and the intervillous space between the two plates. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord and consists of tissue from both the mother and the embryo.
Its function is complex. It has been described as a simple organ that combines the functions of a kidney-dialysis machine, heart and lung machine and intravenous drip. It consists of enormous numbers of blood vessel branches that permit the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus and the removal of wastes to the mother to be excreted. The placenta's remarkable quality is that it does so without the blood of the mother mixing with that of the baby.
It also is responsible for the production of vital hormones including, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. After birth, the placenta is delivered, and is sometimes referred to as the afterbirth.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. has attached more firmly it is called placenta increta, and severe cases where the placenta has grown through the uterine wall are termed placenta percreta.
A retained placenta is diagnosed only after delivery of the baby has passed and it has proven impossible to remove the placenta manually. Placenta accreta in all its forms may be diagnosed by ultrasound, and if placenta increta and percreta are present they are frequently diagnosed prior to labor and delivery.
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Placenta accreta is a very rare condition that occurs in about 0.04% (1 in 2,500) deliveries. It is sometimes confused with retained placenta, a more common condition used to describe a placenta that has not separated within thirty minutes of delivery of the baby. Retained placenta occurs in about one percent (1 in 100) deliveries.
The causes of both placenta accreta and retained placenta are similar. In both cases the risk factors include age:
The concern for doctors treating placenta accreta is to minimize blood loss. Retained placenta and placenta accreta are both treated in the same manner. If a cesarean section has been performed the accreta may be removed and the uterus repaired.
A retained placenta may be treated through dilation and curettage. Placenta incretas and percretas can only be treated by performing a hysterectomy.
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