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Placenta Previa

Picture of normal placenta and placenta previa

Normally, the placenta is attached to the uterus above the cervix. When the placenta blocks the cervix, it is called placenta previa. The amount of cervix covered by the placenta may be slight (marginal), moderate (partial), or complete (total). This picture shows a complete placenta previa.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Last Revised February 3, 2012

Last Revised: February 3, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine

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