Mode of Delivery and Pregnancy Outcome in Women with Minor Placenta Previa

Abstract

Introduction: Severity of placenta previa is classified according to the distance between the placental edge and internal cervical os (PD). This study aimed to evaluate local women with placenta previa in terms of successful vaginal delivery following a trial of labour. Bleeding comorbidities were also investigated.
Methods: We retrospective reviewed a cohort of women with singleton pregnancy and minor placenta previa who delivered in a single unit between January 2012 and December 2015. PD, demographic data, obstetric, antenatal, and delivery outcome were analysed.
Results: Of 54 women included, 26 had PD ≤2 cm, and all except one delivered by Caesarean section. Subgroup analysis of 28 women with PD >2 cm was performed. Of them, 20 opted for trial of labour, and vaginal delivery was successful in 16 (80%). Vaginal delivery, especially vacuum extraction delivery, was associated with a greater decrease in haemoglobin, compared with Caesarean section (p<0.04).
Conclusion: In women with minor placenta praevia, the successful vaginal delivery rate was 80%, which is higher than that reported in previous studies. This encouraging results can aid clinicians in counselling women with minor placenta previa of PD >2 cm about the mode of delivery and chance of a successful vaginal delivery.