Question 1

what do the doctors do with the placenta after birth?

Accepted Answer

Depends!: In any high risk or complicated deliveries, we send the placenta to pathology to look for any reason for the complications.  In normal deliveries, the placenta is bundled together with other placentas and cremated.  If you want to keep the placenta, you can ask your doctor.  It does have to be handled in a special manner though.  So let us know before your delivery.

Question 2

is irt common practice for doctors to examine placenta after birth?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is: Good OB doctors examine the placenta. Important to rule out a partially retained placenta. Also in all cases of intra-uterine growth retardation, if present, of babies.

Question 3

what do the doctors do with the placenta after delivery is kept, researched, where does it go or is used for?

Accepted Answer

Studied: It is briefly studied, sometimes microscopically, weighed, then destroyed unless special circumstances exist.

Question 4

what does the doctor do with the placenta and umbilical cord after the baby is born?

Accepted Answer

Varies with location: These are collected at my local hospitals & stored in a cold facility for an extended period by the lab.The OB occasionally requests a pathologist examine the cord & or placenta for signs of breakdown or infection. If no issues have surfaced during the storage period they are destroyed.

Question 5

have a low-lying anterior placenta at 24 weeks with 2 prev c-sections. doctor unconcerned and didn't discuss with me. what are possible complications?

Accepted Answer

Not increased: What you describe is not uncommon.  The placenta will migate away from the cervix as the pregnancy progresses.  If your doctor is not concerned, that should generally be reassuring to you.

Question 6

diagnosed with placenta previa at my 32-week scan. is there still a chance that the placenta will migrate? im praying for a natural birth but want to be practical as well.

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: If diagnosed in early pregnancy, a placenta previa has a chance to resolve on its own. Diagnosed at 32 weeks, it is most likely fixed and you will need a C section to prevent life threatening bleeding. Although not "natural", a C-section has many benefits for the baby including less skull deformation, and fewer birth injuries such as asphyxia, shoulder dystocia and fractures.

Question 7

how can i cope with placenta previa when not at the doctor?

Accepted Answer

Avoid sex: As long as you are not bleeding, go about life as usual with the exception of nothing in the vagina. No sex, no sex, no sex. Call your provider immediately if bleeding begins, even if it's only spotting.

Question 8

i'm 19w4d pregnant.  i was just diagnosed with placenta previa.  i'm so scared.  what are the odds this will resolve before birth?

Accepted Answer

Good odds.: Greater than 80% of complete placenta previas and 98% of marginal placenta previas resolve during the pregnancy. Of those that do not, C-sections are done to protect mother and child.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3175253/

Question 9

i came home from my 20 week rob anatomy ultrasound today, i brought home a cd with all of my pictures on it and stumbled across the preliminary report. it says i have anterior low lying placenta, what is this and should i schedule to see my doctor sooner

Accepted Answer

Not a problem: You'll probably get another ultrasound just to make sure your placental has stretched well away from the cervix. Low-lying anterior placenta is just where your placenta happens to be at 20 weeks. I don't worry about this unless you had a prior c-sec, then i check to make sure there's no accreta (placenta growing into the old scar). In summary, it's normal & not a problem. Enjoy your pictures.

Question 10

used heroin off and on til i was 26 weeks pregnant. will it show in the placenta and baby once i give birth if i quit now and stick with subutex?

Accepted Answer

No: Be careful.  If the switch is made improperly, you can have withdrawal which might bring on premature delivery.  Methadone can be started without this danger.

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Doctor answers about:

What do doctors do with the placenta after birth

A member asked:

What do the doctors do with the placenta after birth?

A member asked:

Is irt common practice for doctors to examine placenta after birth?

A member asked:

What do the doctors do with the placenta after delivery is kept, researched, where does it go or is used for?

A member asked:

What does the doctor do with the placenta and umbilical cord after the baby is born?

A member asked:

Have a low-lying anterior placenta at 24 weeks with 2 prev c-sections. doctor unconcerned and didn't discuss with me. what are possible complications?

A member asked:

Diagnosed with placenta previa at my 32-week scan. is there still a chance that the placenta will migrate? im praying for a natural birth but want to be practical as well.

A member asked:

How can i cope with placenta previa when not at the doctor?

A member asked:

I'm 19w4d pregnant. i was just diagnosed with placenta previa. i'm so scared. what are the odds this will resolve before birth?

A member asked:

I came home from my 20 week rob anatomy ultrasound today, i brought home a cd with all of my pictures on it and stumbled across the preliminary report. it says i have anterior low lying placenta, what is this and should i schedule to see my doctor sooner

A member asked:

Used heroin off and on til i was 26 weeks pregnant. will it show in the placenta and baby once i give birth if i quit now and stick with subutex?

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