Determination of placenta location in third trimester of pregnancy by ultrasonography

Abstract

Objective: Placenta is an important organ for communication of mother and fetus, and the main route of nutritional intake and excretion of fetal waste matter. Placenta localization is very important for invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the uterus (Amniocentesis, cordecentesis, cesarean section…). Methods: In this study we evaluated 240 pregnant women in third trimester with ultrasonography for localization of placenta in uterus. Patients with a systemic disease or any previous complication of pregnancy were ruled out from this study. Findings: In majority of cases (46%) placenta were localized on the anterior wall, (31%) on the posterior wall and only 17% in the furdes of the uteras (P<0.00001). Conclusion: The results of this study oppose other studies that mostly indicated a fundal localization of placenta. And it is suggested that invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures should meticulously be carried out.

Keywords

• placenta
• ultrasonography
• third trimester
• localization