Placenta Praevia in Grand Rapids, Michigan

During pregnancy, the placenta provides a growing baby with oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s bloodstream. Placenta praevia is a condition where the placenta implants low in the uterus and partly or completely covers the cervix (the opening of the uterus).

In a typical pregnancy, when the baby is ready to be born, the cervix dilates (opens) to allow the baby to move from the uterus into the vagina for a vaginal birth. With placenta praevia, the placenta blocks this opening, making vaginal birth unsafe.

In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, placenta praevia is considered a high‑risk pregnancy condition and is usually managed by obstetric teams at major hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health), and Mercy Health facilities.

What Is Placenta Praevia?

Placenta praevia occurs when the placenta is located at the bottom of the uterus, over or very close to the cervix.

There are two main types:

  • Partial placenta praevia – the placenta covers part of the cervix
  • Complete placenta praevia – the placenta completely covers the cervix

When the placenta blocks the cervix, the baby cannot be safely delivered vaginally. In most cases, a planned caesarean section (C‑section) is recommended.

Placenta praevia affects about 1 in 200 pregnancies.

Causes and Risk Factors

Sometimes placenta praevia happens without any clear reason. However, several factors can increase the risk:

  • Scarring of the uterine lining (endometrium) from:
    • Previous C‑sections
    • Previous uterine surgery or curettage (D&C)
    • Past infections
  • Abnormalities of the placenta
  • Abnormalities of the uterus, such as fibroids
  • Low implantation of the fertilized egg
  • Multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets
  • Previous placenta praevia in an earlier pregnancy
  • Maternal age over 35
  • Smoking

In West Michigan, where C‑section rates and maternal age at first pregnancy can be higher than in past decades, obstetricians in Grand Rapids are especially alert to these risk factors during prenatal care.

Symptoms of Placenta Praevia

The most important symptom of placenta praevia is:

  • Painless vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks of pregnancy

Other key points:

  • The bleeding is often bright red.
  • It may start suddenly, without any cramping or pain.
  • Bleeding can occur more than once during the pregnancy.
  • Sexual intercourse or a vaginal examination can sometimes trigger or worsen bleeding.

Important Note About Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnancy

There are many causes of vaginal bleeding in pregnancy besides placenta praevia, including:

  • Cervical irritation or infection
  • Miscarriage or threatened miscarriage (earlier in pregnancy)
  • Placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterine wall)

Because some of these conditions can be serious, all vaginal bleeding in pregnancy should be reported immediately to a healthcare provider.

In Grand Rapids, if you experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy:

  • Contact your OB/GYN or midwife right away.
  • If the bleeding is heavy or you feel unwell (dizzy, faint, short of breath), go to the nearest emergency department (for example, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids), or call 911.

Why Bleeding Happens in Placenta Praevia

In the later stages of pregnancy, the lower part of the uterus stretches and thins to make room for the growing baby. If the placenta is attached low down (as in placenta praevia), this stretching can cause the placenta to separate slightly from the uterine wall, leading to bleeding.

Bleeding can also be triggered or worsened by:

  • Sexual intercourse
  • Vaginal examinations that touch or disturb the cervix
  • Labor, when the cervix begins to thin and open

As the cervix dilates during labor, it can further tear the placenta away from the uterine wall, causing heavy bleeding. This is one major reason why a C‑section is usually recommended for placenta praevia.

Possible Complications

Placenta praevia can be dangerous for both mother and baby if not carefully managed. Possible complications include:

  • Major haemorrhage (severe bleeding) in the mother
  • Shock due to blood loss
  • Fetal distress from lack of oxygen
  • Premature labor or preterm delivery
  • Health risks for the baby related to being born too early (breathing problems, feeding difficulties, infections)
  • Need for emergency caesarean delivery
  • Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) if the placenta does not separate properly after delivery (for example, in placenta accreta)
  • Blood loss for the baby, especially if there is significant placental separation

Because Michigan winters can make travel difficult, pregnant women in Grand Rapids with known placenta praevia are often advised to plan ahead for hospital access during snow or ice, and to avoid long drives to remote areas late in pregnancy.

How Placenta Praevia Is Diagnosed

Ultrasound Scan

The main test used to diagnose placenta praevia is an ultrasound scan. This may be:

  • Abdominal ultrasound (on the belly)
  • Transvaginal ultrasound (a small probe placed in the vagina) – this gives a clearer picture and is safe when done properly

An ultrasound can show:

  • Whether the placenta is low‑lying
  • If it partly or completely covers the cervix
  • The exact location of the placenta
  • The position of the baby (for example, breech or sideways)

In around 1 in 3 cases of placenta praevia, the baby may be lying sideways (transverse) or bottom‑first (breech).

Avoid Digital Vaginal Examinations

A digital (finger) vaginal examination can trigger heavy bleeding in placenta praevia and should be strictly avoided until placenta position is confirmed by ultrasound.

If needed, a doctor may perform a very gentle speculum examination (using an instrument to look at the cervix) to make sure the bleeding is not coming from the cervix or vagina itself.

Distinguishing from Placental Abruption

Both placenta praevia and placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterine wall) can cause:

  • Heavy bleeding
  • Bright red blood

However:

  • Placenta praevia usually causes painless bleeding.
  • Placental abruption often causes painful bleeding and a tender, hard uterus.

Because the treatments differ, doctors in Grand Rapids hospitals will usually perform an urgent ultrasound to tell these conditions apart before doing any internal examination.

Monitoring Pregnancy After Diagnosis

Once placenta praevia is diagnosed, the pregnancy must be carefully monitored, usually by a high‑risk obstetrics (maternal‑fetal medicine) team.

Monitoring may include:

  • Regular ultrasound scans to check:
    • Placenta position
    • Baby’s growth
    • Amniotic fluid levels
  • Fetal monitoring (checking the baby’s heart rate)
  • Regular checks of the mother’s:
    • Blood pressure
    • Heart rate
    • Blood counts (to watch for anemia)
    • Blood clotting ability

In Grand Rapids, these services are available through major hospitals and many OB/GYN practices. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also help connect you with prenatal care resources, especially if you are uninsured or under‑insured.

Treatment Options for Placenta Praevia

Treatment depends on several factors:

  • Whether the placenta praevia is complete or partial
  • The exact location of the placenta
  • The amount of blood lost
  • The gestational age of the baby
  • The position and health of the baby
  • The overall health of the mother

Conservative (Non‑Surgical) Management During Pregnancy

If bleeding is mild and the pregnancy is not yet full‑term, medical treatment aims to:

  • Reduce bleeding
  • Prolong the pregnancy safely so the baby has more time to grow

Common recommendations may include:

  • Bed rest or reduced activity
  • Avoiding sexual intercourse and orgasms (these can trigger contractions or bleeding)
  • Avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise
  • Hospitalization if bleeding is moderate or heavy, or if you live far from a hospital (especially important in winter in West Michigan)

In the hospital, care may include:

  • Continuous or regular fetal monitoring
  • Regular checks of the mother’s vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels)
  • IV fluids if needed
  • Blood transfusions if there has been significant blood loss
  • Medications to prevent or slow preterm labor, if appropriate
  • Steroid injections to help the baby’s lungs mature if an early delivery is likely

Delivery Planning

Once the baby is old enough to be safely delivered (often around 36–37 weeks, depending on your situation), a planned caesarean section is usually recommended.

Emergency C‑section may be needed if:

  • Bleeding becomes heavy or life‑threatening
  • The baby shows signs of distress
  • Labor starts on its own and the placenta still covers the cervix

After delivery, the baby may need monitoring in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), especially if born early. Grand Rapids hospitals such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital and Trinity Health Grand Rapids have NICU services for premature or high‑risk newborns.

After Delivery

Following delivery, the mother will usually undergo:

  • Blood tests to check:
    • Hemoglobin and hematocrit (for anemia)
    • Platelet count
    • Clotting factors
  • Monitoring for:
    • Ongoing bleeding
    • Signs of infection
    • Blood pressure issues

If the placenta does not separate properly (for example, in placenta accreta or related conditions), additional surgery, including hysterectomy, may rarely be necessary to control bleeding.

Living in Grand Rapids With Placenta Praevia

For expectant parents in Grand Rapids and West Michigan:

  • Plan your care with an OB/GYN or maternal‑fetal medicine specialist at a hospital equipped for high‑risk deliveries.
  • Consider winter weather and travel times when making decisions about where to deliver and when to seek care.
  • Keep emergency numbers handy and know the closest hospital with obstetric and NICU services.

If you have concerns about transportation, insurance, or access to prenatal care, the Kent County Health Department and local community clinics can help connect you to resources.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids if you:

  • Have heavy vaginal bleeding at any stage of pregnancy
  • Feel dizzy, faint, or short of breath
  • Have severe abdominal pain
  • Notice decreased fetal movement
  • Think you might be in labor and have known placenta praevia

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Your GP / primary care provider
  • Your OB/GYN or midwife
  • Emergency department of:
    • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health)
    • Other local hospitals with maternity services
  • Kent County Health Department – prenatal care referrals and public health resources
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics for low‑cost or sliding‑scale prenatal care

Always call 911 in an emergency.

Key Points About Placenta Praevia

  • Placenta praevia occurs when the placenta implants low in the uterus and partly or completely covers the cervix.
  • Painless vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks is the most important warning sign.
  • There are other causes of vaginal bleeding in pregnancy, so professional evaluation is essential.
  • All bleeding during pregnancy should be reported promptly to a healthcare provider.
  • Sexual intercourse can trigger or worsen bleeding in later pregnancy if you have placenta praevia.
  • Treatment focuses on protecting the mother, prolonging pregnancy safely, and usually involves a planned C‑section at a hospital equipped for high‑risk deliveries, such as major medical centers in Grand Rapids, Michigan.